IMPROVEMENTS IN FURNACES OR KILNS FOR CARBONIZING AND DISTILLING SOLID SUBSTANCES, AND IN APPARATUS OR MEANS EMPLOYED IN CONNECTION THERewith
Year: 1875

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by John Henry Johnson at the
Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on the
29th October 1875.-A communication from abroad by Henry
Huyard, of Paris, in the Republic of France.
I, JOHN HENRY JOHNSON, of 47, Lincoln's Inn Fields, in the County
of Middlesex, Gentleman, do hereby declare the nature of the said
Invention for "IMPROVEMENTS IN FURNACES OR KILNS FOR CARBONIZING AND
DISTILLING SOLID SUBSTANCES, AND IN APPARATUS OR MEANS EMPLOYED IN
CONNECTION THERewith,” a communication to me from abroad by Henry
Huyard, of Paris, in the Republic of France, to be as follows:-
This Invention relates to the employment of improved means of and
apparatus for carbonizing and distilling coal, wood, bones, manures, and
other solid substances for the manufacture of coal gas, wood charcoal,
animal charcoal, and other purposes, whereby the ammoniacal liquor
and products (to be used in the manufacture of sulphate of ammonia,
for example), the incondensable and lighting gases and the tar and like
products, which according to the ordinary systems are lost or consumed
may be collected in a convenient and practical manner.

page_text: In carrying out this Invention it is proposed to employ retorts
constructed by preference of firc-clay or of cast iron, and placed
vertically in a furnace of suitable proportions, according to the number
of retorts which it is required to contain. These retorts are disposed
either consecutively or opposite one another, and rest or are supported
on each side of a hearth upon cast-iron plates covered with a layer
of brickwork in order to protect them from the excessive heat, and
they are further arranged in such a manner as that the products of
combustion shall be free to circulate between the walls and the retorts,
as well as in the intervals existing between the latter. On each side of 1
the hearth there is formed a channel or flue extending throughout the
whole length of the furnace for the introduction of the gases to be
consumed and distributed, and which passing through small branch
passages or outlets are uniformly diffused throughout the furnace.
The plates upon which the retorts are supported rest on one side upon ]
the hearth & on the other side upon a bar of T iron, and at the part
on which the retort rests they are provided with a projection, to which
is fitted a stopper or plug (composed by preference of fire-clay and cast
iron) for closing the bottom of the retort.
Outside the furnace and opposite the centre of each retort there is a
provided a weighted lover, the fulcrum of which (fitted with a guide) is
arranged in such a manner that when placed in position the lever is
capable of motion in a vertical direction only. At the end of the lever
covering exactly the under part of the projection of the plate, there is
jointed the stopper or plug before mentioned which is furnished with a 2
sliding guide, and acts in such a manner as to cause the stopper or plug
to be always presented vertically to the opening of the retort in order to
close it hermetically. The stopper or plug is luted at the edges, and it
may be further secured by binding screws or by bars forming a point of
support, or by other suitable means.
Space is provided in the furnace underneath the plug or stopper for
the admission of a truck or trolly with a receptacle and funnel, into
which the contents of the retort are to be discharged after the
completion of the operation. To the upper part of the retort there is
fitted a plate, composed by preference of cast iron, and having pro-
jections for the reception of a cover which is luted in any suitable
manner, and may be further secured by a binding screw or otherwise.

page_text: Or in lieu of the preceding arrangement the upper part of the retorts
may be closed by a cap or cover fitted with a sand joint if desired. On
one of the projecting sides of the upper plate there is fitted a pipo
which is continued upwards, and then descends into a reservoir or
cylinder enclosed in a vessel containing water so as to form a refrigerator.
A separate reservoir or cylinder may be employed for each retort, or one
may serve for two or more retorts.
The reservoir or cylinder is provided with a syphon, by means of
which it is constantly maintained empty, and also with one or more
pipes which descend through a water tank to a close vessel or holder
below, or the latter may be replaced by a receiver or inverted vessel
with an open mouth plunging into the liquid. From the holder or
receiver there are conducted gas pipes leading to the flues or channels
at the side of the hearth, or to gas jets to be employed for illuminating
purposes.
The condensed products are conducted from the syphon, and the
holder or receiver into casks or other suitable receptacles.
The whole of the furnace and apparatus is arranged in such a manner
as to enable it to be cleaned during working, for which purpose
suitable apertures are provided in the walls, and the joints of the pipes
are fitted with removable bolts, whilst provision is made for the
introduction of steam and water into the apparatus.
The charging of the retorts is effected at the upper part, and as soon
as decomposition is induced the gases which are to be collected pass into
the reservoir or cylinder where they are partially condensed, the
remainder passing through the,tank, where the operation is completed.
The contents of the retorts are then discharged into a portable receptacle
on wheels, as before mentioned, which is run beneath them for that
purpose.