IMPROVEMENTS IN THE PRODUCTION AND MANUFACTURE OF IRON AND STEEL AND IN THE APPARATUS AND COMPOUNDS EMPLOYED THEREIN
Year: 1874

page_text: DISCLAIMER AND MEMORANDUM OF ALTERATION proposed to be
entered and filed by the said Samuel Richard Smyth and The Standard Iron
and Steel Company, Limited, whose registered office is at No. 96, King Street,
Manchester.
TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, I, SAMUEL RICHARD
SMYTH, of Gorton, near Manchester, in the County Palatine of Lancaster, Engineer,
on behalf of myself and The Standard Iron and Steel Company, Limited, whose
registered office is at No. 96, King Street, Manchester, aforesaid, the joint owner
with me of the above Patent, send greeting:
and numbered 8840,
WHEREAS Her present Majesty by Letters Patent dated the Seventh November
One thousand eight hundred and seventy-four, and sealed on the Sixteenth April,
One thousand eight hundred and seventy-five, granted unto me, the said Samuel
Richard Smyth, and Joseph Simpson, of 58, Fountain Street, Manchester, aforesaid,
our executors, administrators, and assigns, especial licence, full power, sole privilege
and authority of making, using, exercising, and vending within the United King-
dom of Great Britain and Ireland, the Channel Islands, and the Isle of Man, our
Invention for" IMPROVEMENTS IN THE PRODUCTION AND MANUFACTURE OF IRON AND
STEEL AND IN THE APPARATUS AND COMPOUNDS EMPLOYED THEREIN," to have, hold,
exercise, and enjoy the same unto and by us, the said Samuel Richard Smyth and
Joseph Simpson, our executors, administrators, and assigns, for the term of fourteen
years:

page_text: "
And whereas I, the said Samuel Richard Smyth, and the said Joseph Simpson,
in pursuance of a proviso in the said Letters Patent contained, did by an instrument
in writing dated the Seventh of May One thousand eight hundred and seventy-five,
under our hands and seals, particularly describe the nature of the said Invention
and in what manner the same was to be performed, and did cause the same instru-
ment to be filed in the Great Seal Patent Office on the Seventh of May One
thousand eight hundred and seventy-five:
And whereas by a deed dated the Twenty-sixth April One thousand eight
hundred and seventy-six, and made, or expressed to be made, between the said
Joseph Simpson, of the one part, and myself, the said Samuel Richard Smyth, of the
other part, for the considerations therein expressed, the said Joseph Simpson
assigned unto me, the said Samuel Richard Smyth (inter alia) all that undivided
part or share of the said Joseph Simpson, of all and any of the said Inventions and
Letters Patent, N° 3840, and dated the Seventh November, One thousand eight
hundred and seventy-four:
And whereas by an Indenture dated the Twenty-sixth of May One thousand
eight hundred and seventy-six, made between me, the said Samuel Richard Smyth,
of the first part, and Henry Whitworth, of the second part, and The Standard Iron
and Steel Company, Limited (hereinafter referred to as the Company), of the third
part, for the considerations expressed, I, the said Samuel Richard Smyth, assigned
unto the Company (inter alia) all that one moiety or half part of the said Invention
and Letters Patent, Nod 3840, and dated the Seventh of November One thousand
eight hundred and seventy-four:
"And whereas since the date of the said Letters Patent and the filing of the said
Specification I have discovered that part of the said Invention and Letters Patent,
as described in the said Specification, is not a necessary or useful part of the said
Invention, and cannot be used or usefully applied, having a due regard to economy,
in the manner described in the said Specification, and also have discovered certain
and Drawings
A
clerical errors in the said Specification whereby it is rendered deficient in point of
clearness, and I, acting for myself and on behalf and with the consent of the Com-
pany, am therefore desirous for the aforesaid reasons of entering a disclaimer of so:
much of the title of the said Invention, and also so much of the said Specification as
will confine the Invention to the subject matter of the 1st, 4th, 6th, 8th, 10th, 14th,
16th, 20th, and 21st clauses, numbered respectively 1, 4, 6, 8, 10, 14, 16, 20, and 21,
and of entering a memorandum of alteration of the title of the said Invention and
of the said Specification, for the purpose of more accurately intituling and of correct-
ing such errors in the same, as aforesaid:
Now know ye, that I, the said Samuel Richard Smyth, by and with the leave of
Her Majesty's Solicitor General, and for the reasons aforesaid, on behalf of myself
and the said Company, do hereby make such alterations in the title of the said
Invention, and also in the said Specifications and Drawings in manner following,
that is to say :-
I do hereby alter the said title by striking out the words therein "and com-
pounds," and I do further declare that the title of the said Invention shall accord-
ingly be "Improvements in the Production and Manufacture of Iron and Steel and
"in the Apparatus Employed therein," instead of the said title so expressed or men-
tioned in the said Letters Patent and Specification respectively:
And I do hereby alter the said Specification as herein-after mentioned, that is
to say:-
Referring to page 16 of the printed copy of the said Specification, in line 15 I
strike out the words "our apparatus can be used for the melting and refining of
"other." I strike out line 16, commencing with the word "metal" and ending with
the word "applicable." In line 18 I strike out the words "which we call retort
"oven furnaces." In line 26 I strike out the words "composed of." In line 27 I
strike out the words "our refractory material." In line 28 I strike out the words
*this refractory material may be made in one piece." In line 29 I strike
out
the
words "or in segments."

page_text: Referring to page 17, in lines 6 and 18 respectively, I strike out the words “the
"aforesaid or other;" in line 13 I strike out the words "the aforesaid;" in lines 26
and 32 I strike out the word "properties" in each of the said lines, and substitute
therefor in each instance the word "materials;" in line 34 after the word "metal"
I insert the following:-" But to the use of these retorts no claim is made as
*forming part of the present Invention." I strike out lines 35 to 38 inclusive, com-
mencing with the word "connected," and ending with the word "1
"process."
Referring to page 18 I strike out lines 3 to 38 inclusive, commencing with the
words "By our," and ending with the words "as the."
Referring to page 19 I strike out lines 1 to 15 inclusive, commencing with the
word "ingots," and ending with the word "steel;" I strike out lines 24 and 25,
commencing with the words "We use," and ending with the word "gases."
Referring to page 20, in line 8 I strike out the words "the aforesaid or other;"
I strike out lines 30 to 33 inclusive, commencing with the words "We fix," and
ending with the words "pipes the;" in line 34 I strike out that part commencing
with the word "contents," and ending with the words "the ore"; I also strike out
the word "also; " in line 36 I strike out the words "whole of" and the words "or
"principles;" in line 37 I strike out also the word "before."
Referring to page 21, in line 7 I strike out the words "and properties;" in line 8
I strike out the word "before," and in line 9 I strike out the word "therefrom,"
and substitute therefor the word "thereby;" in line 23 I strike out the words
"the agency of;" in line 25 I strike out the word "agencies," and substitute
therefor the word "chemicals."
Referring to page 22, in line 6 after the word "compounds" I insert the
following, "used as herein-after described;" in line 8 I strike out the words " or
"other metals;" in line 10 I strike out the word "retort."
Referring to page 23, in line 1, the letters and figures "CL2" is a misprint, and
should have been "Cl,;" in line 23 after the word "foot" I insert the following:-
But to the use of what are termed the great forces, no claim is made as forming
"part of the present Invention."
Referring to page 24, in line 5 I strike out the word "properties," and substitute
therefor the word "materials;" in line 23 between the words "cover" and "is" I
insert the words "or. chamber;" in line 25 I strike out the word "properties," and
substitute therefore the word "materials;" in line 29 I strike out the word "box;'
in line 31 I strike out the words "our special or any other;" in line 32 I strike
out the words "our or any other."
Referring to page 25, in line 26, I strike out the word "and," and substitute
therefor the word "or."
Referring to page 26, in line 25 instead of the letter ("S") I put the letter and
figure ("S"); in line 27 I strike out the word "also," and substitute therefor the
letter a, and between the words "thermometer" and "and" I insert the words
"is also used;" in line 28 I insert the word "also" before the letter and word "a
"burner;" in line 32 I strike out the word "seven;" in line 37 between the letters
and figures "CH" and the semicolon I insert the words "meaning thereby coal
naptha," and in line 38 between the letters and figures "CH" and the semi-
colon I insert the words "meaning thereby wood naptha."
**
Referring to page 27, in line 1 I substitute the sign "+" for the sign
words,
" × 3" I
also strike out the letters, and figures "C, H₂ or," and "or Ho C₁;" also
at the end of the line the letters "CI" is a misprint, and should have been "CL"
In line 2 I substitute the sign "+ " for the sign "x." In line 6 between the
letters "HF" and the word "these "I insert the following, "of the above agents
"the use of those described as being contained in (D) and (G) are disclaimed;" in
the same line I strike out the words "are generated into gases in;" in line 71
strike out the words " their compartments, and also in the generator and the gases;
I strike out lines 14 to 17 inclusive, commencing with the word "We," and ending
with the word "opened;" in line 21 I strike out the words "with such," and in
line 22 I strike out the words "liquid process; " in line 26 I strike out the words
33.

page_text: "
our special or any other;" in line 29 I substitute the word “materials' for the
word "properties."
Referring to page 28, in lines 11 and 12 respectively I strike out the word
after;" in line 29 I substitute the letter and figure (K¹) for the letter "(K);" in
line 34 between the word "
"
cover and the letter "(N)" I insert the words "or 5
"chamber." In line 38 between the words "cover" and "are" I insert the words
" or chamber."
Referring to page 29, in line 15 I strike out the words "our special."
Referring to page 30, in line 9 I strike out the words "or any other of the com-
"pounds and;" in line 10 I strike out the words "forces herein-before mentioned;" 1
in line 16 I strike out the word "our;" in line 17 I strike out the words "or
"other;" I strike out line 24, commencing with the word "This," and ending with
the word "iron."
6
"
"
Referring to page 31, in line 7 I strike out the words "our or other;" in line 14
I strike out the words "any of our;" in line 21 after the word "pipes" I add the 1
following, "To the use of the above gases or gaseous compounds no claim is
separately
"made as forming part of the present Invention.
Referring to page 32, I strike out lines 14 to 24 inclusive, commencing with the
words "We provide," and ending with the word “iron.”
"
Referring to page 33, in line 5 I strike out the word "the"; I also between 2
the word "means and "herein-before" insert the words "of the apparatus;" I
also between the words "described" and "and" insert the words, letters, and
figures, "and shewn respectively in Figures (1) and (2) of Drawing No. (1);
Figures (1), (2), (3), (4), (5), and (6), of Drawing No. (2); Figures (1) and (2) of
Drawing No. (3). Figures (1) and (2) of Drawing No. (4); Figures (1) and (2) of 2
Drawing No. (5); Figures (1) and (2) of Drawing No. (5º); Figures (1), (2), and (3)
" of Drawing No. (6); Figures (1), (2), (3), (4), (5), and (6) of Drawing No. (7)”)` Í
strike out lines 7 to 11 inclusive, commencing with the figure "2," and ending
with the word "thereof;" in line 12 I substitute the figure "2," for the figure "4;"
I also strike out in line 13 the word "the," and between the words " means and 3
"and" I insert the words "of the apparatus;" I strike out lines 15 to 16, com-
mencing with the figure "5," and ending with the word "thereof;" in line 17 I
substitute the figure "3" for the figure "6;" in line 18 I strike out the word
the," and between the words " means " and "and" I insert the words "of the
apparatus; "I strike out lines 20 and 21, commencing with the figure "7," and 3
ending with the word "thereof;" in line 22 I substitute the figure "4" for the
figure "8;" in line 23 I strike out the word "the," and between the word "means
and "herein-before" I insert the words "of the apparatus;" I strike out lines 25
and 26, commencing with the figure "9," and ending with the word "thereof;" in
line 27 I substitute the figure "5" for the figures "10;" I strike out lines 30 to 34, 4
commencing with the figures "11" and ending with the word "thereof."
86
"
in line I strike out the word "the," and between the words " means " and "herein-before "I insert the words "of the apparatus;"
.
Referring to page 34, I strike out lines 1, 2, and 3, commencing with the figures
"13," and ending with the word "thereof;" in line 4 I substitute the figure "6"
for the figures "14;" I strike out lines 8 to 12 inclusive, commencing with the
figures "15" and ending with the word "thereof;" in line "13" I substitute the 4
figure "7" for the figures "16;" I strike out lines 18 to 28 inclusive, commencing
with the figures "17," and ending with the word "thereof;" in line 29 I substi-
tute the figure "8" for the figures "20;" in line 33 I substitute the figure "9"
for the figures "21."
Referring to page 35, I strike out lines 1 to 6 inclusive, commencing with the 5
figures "22," and ending with the word "thereof."
And in order to render the Drawings more accurate and intelligible I have
amended and altered the same as follows:-
of the refractory material Q.
In Drawing No. 2, Figure 2, I have shaded certain parts, which by error had

page_text: In Drawing No. 4, in Figures 1 and 2, I have marked as (ST) the cylinder
therein marked (S); also in Figure 1 I substitute the letter and figure "(m²)" for
("m"); I have also inserted the letter k to show the position of the valve in the
main pipe.
In Drawing No. 3, in Figures 1 and 2, I have marked the brick foundation (K³)
instead of ("K").
In Drawing No. 6, in Figures 1 and 3, I have inserted the letter (a) shewing the
position of the sole plate.
And I, the said Samuel Richard Smyth, do hereby further declare that the above-
written Disclaimer and Memorandum of Alteration are not, nor are either of them
respectively, or any part thereof respectively, intended to extend the exclusive
right granted by the said Letters Patent, and that these Presents shall not extend
the exclusive right in any way whatsoever.
And in order that the effect of this Disclaimer and Memorandum of Alteration
may be clearly seen, I append a copy of the Specification and Drawings as they
will appear when such Disclaimer and Memorandum of Alteration is made as afore-
said, the preamble and testing clause being omitted.
1. This Invention has for its object improvements in the melting, purifying, and
refining of iron; the conversion of iron smelted or melted in a blast, vacuum, or
exhaust furnace from the ore or from pig iron; and for freeing the ore and metal
from its impurities, and bringing it into refined or pure iron.
2. Also for converting the metal into wrought iron or mild steel, and casting the
same into ingots or castings.
3. Also for converting the metal into hard or soft steel by a direct process from
the blast, vacuum, or exhaust furnace at one melting from the ore.
4. Also for improvements in puddling, balling, heating, and annealing furnaces, so
that, in the manner herein-after described, they act in the subsequent manipulation
of the iron or steel by means of a fuel consisting of gaseous compounds.
5. And an apparatus consisting of a trunnion ladle or metal receiver. This ladle
and the metal receiver can be manufactured either of wrought-iron plates or cast
iron, and must be lined with a refractory material, which we prefer to be made of
segmental bricks, so as to withstand the action of the intense heat generated
therein.
it
Our metal receiver is constructed near any existing blast furnace when the whole
of our Invention is not being used, or near our vacuum or exhaust furnace so as to
take the whole metal charge therefrom. Our trunnion ladle is fixed on a trolly and
frame, and a chamber or receptacle is constructed to receive the said ladle and trolly,
in which is placed a platform, and under, is placed an hydraulic ram; or wheel
gear may be fixed so as to wind the same up by a rack or worm. The ram, or rack,
or worm forces the ladle up to a fixed cover or top made of iron and lined with
refractory material, which cover or top is supported either on brickwork or other-
wise; over this cover is a box or chamber having an inlet in its end side or top.
Two or more taper holes are made in the cover, which forms the bottom of the box
or chamber, into which are inserted two or more descending pipes of refractory
material sufficiently long to reach down nearly to the bottom of the ladle. The
ladle is then brought up tight under the cover by means of the ram or wheel, and
screw gear and rack, and it is sealed on its upper flange either by damp fire-clay or
by any other suitable cement or luting. On the cover is also the flue or outlet bole
for the escape of the waste gases, which is so placed that it blows direct into a hori-
zontal flue or chimney above. Over the whole is a cover or lid of refractory
material, which is supported by a rod, and is connected by a lever and pillars
leading to the front of the chamber. Means are adopted to regulate the pressure of
the gases in the ladle.
Immediately at the back of the ladle in a line with the top of the cover box may
be fixed a retort oven, made of the aforesaid or other refractory material set in
brickwork in the usual way, having a small furnace underneath, which said furnace

page_text: 26
leads to a flue running horizontally at the back of the retort oven, into which flue
the gases from the ladle by the outlet pipe on the cover are discharged. At the end
of the retort oven is placed a flue or pipe of the aforesaid or other refractory material
encased in iron leading direct to the box or chamber on the ladle cover. At the
front end of the retort oven is an inlet at its top, through which such of the
materials are required in the treatment of the metal are passed. Placed on the
front wall of the retort stack is a tank having a communication with the retort oven
by means of a pipe with a stop-cock, which is to be worked as may be required,
and a measured quantity of the material therein is to be let into the retort. Con-
nected with the above inlet is a pipe of suitable dimensions and strength, through
. which is forced such of the materials as are required into and through the retort
oven, and from thence to the ladle and through its pipe into the metal. But to the
use of these retorts no claim is made, as forming part of the present Invention.
The metal receivers herein-after described are fixtures, but the trunnion ladle is
movable, as herein-before mentioned.
We use the whole of the combustible materials contained in coal, and which are
usually passed away at the top of the blast furnace, and are wasted. For this object
we calcine the coal in the usual gas retorts, and evolve and purify the gas, which is
then passed into a gas holder. This gas we use as fuel by passing it through
heated retorts or not in combination with atmospheric air or oxygen, and thereby
we generate carbonic oxide, and any impurities left in the gases are absorbed by the
lime, &c., in the retorts.
The coke resulting from the manufacture of gas being charged with impurities
opposed to the pure smelting of iron, and more especially sulphur, we treat whilst
hot with water, adding chloride of lime, oxide of iron, salt, soda, potash, muriatic
acid, or chloride of manganese, or a compound of caustic leys or other desulphurizing
agent or agents, or we mix a proportion of unslaked lime and oxide of iron, and
slake the sanie with water, and pour it on to the coke, and thus purify it.
We also mix any of the above materials or compounds with different classes of
iron ores in proportions, according to the class of the iron ore, and we wet the same
with the above-named agents or some of them to desulphurize and dephosphorize
the ores.
We then form a mixed conglomerate of the iron ore, lime, and coke in
suitable portions for combustion, and we charge the furnace with it, through which
pure carbonic oxide is being forced from the retorts at a high pressure charged with
abundance of carbon, purifying and fluxing compounds at will. This purified coke
and ore we use in the vacuum or exhaust furnace, which is the next part of our
Invention. This vacuum or exhaust furnace is built of ordinary brickwork, but all
its parts in contact with fire are built of refractory material. The furnace is formed
of two side walls built on piers and arches, and it is formed on an inclined plane at
an angle of from 10 to 30 degrees. At the lower part of the furnace is the dam or
hearth for the molten products. On the inclined plane are formed six or more
hearths or ovens, dome shaped, each having a reduced incline towards the furnace;
these hearths rise one after the other, but they lead from one to the other. There
is a bridge at the lower end of each hearth. Over the whole of the furnace oven
hearths an arch is turned over the whole length. Over the oven arch is built 4
another arch, extending over three or more of the said hearths, at the higher end
in which there are spaces left for the ore and coke and limestone to fall on to the
hearths below. The descending or smoke flue leads down from the highest part of
the furnace, and at the bottom a large chamber is formed, from which said chamber
the flue continues, and in which may be placed an exhauster driven at a high
velocity, thus forming a strong vacuum or exhaust over the furnace hearths. From
the dam or hearth an inlet for the air is to be constructed at the top thereof, and is
to pass through the side walls to the rising hearths.
We light the furnace by charging it with coke at the dam or hearth and up three
or more of its rising hearths, we then light it at its tapping hole, and when hot
enough to charge with ore, &c., we stop the tapping holes and use the furnace as is
herein described.

page_text: We run the whole charge into a receiver from the furnace, and apply the com-
pounds herein-before specified for purifying, refining, and conversion of metals, as
herein set forth. The said receiver is constructed on the same plan as the trunnion
ladle herein-before described.
By our Invention we hold the complete control of the metal in any of its stages,
and we can produce any required quality thereof, and we can obtain productions
therefrom of any size or weight. These productions by our Invention are made of
a uniform quality throughout by using in the manner specified herein the com-
pounds herein named in their proper proportions, and by expelling the impurities in
the metal thereby. These appliances vary according to the classes of metal placed
under the treatment, and it is therefore impossible to define exact proportions or to
specify the precise time during which the metal requires to be kept under the
operation of the various modes of treatment or any of them, but the application
of the principles of our Invention is regulated by time, pressure, gauges, pyro-
meters, and the spectrum, and the judgment and experience of the operator will
at all times be sufficient to regulate these details according to the requirements of
the metal under treatment. An analysis of the ore and metal under treatment
will materially assist in the application of our Invention to the different classes
of ore and metal.
For the more correct and better understanding of our Invention we number and
describe the Drawings of our apparatus employed for the carrying the same into
effect.
As numerous chemicals are employed by us in carrying out our processes and are
used together or separate, forming thereby other compounds, we will describe some
of the chemicals we employ by their chemical symbols which are well known.
No. 1 Drawing is a key plan shewing the combination of the parts shewn in
Drawings 2, 3, and 4, and the retorts in Drawing 6, and represents the arrangement
of the apparatus which we employ for carrying out our Invention for the purifica-
tion and refining of iron and its conversion into steel.
No. 2 Drawing represents our trunnion ladle with its chambers and retort; the
said ladle is employed for the treatment of the molten iron after it is melted from
the pig iron or from the ore, or as taken from our metal converting and purifying
receiver, or from our vacuum or exhaust furnace.
No. 3 Drawing represents our metal purifying, refining, and converting metal
receiver, into which a whole old blast furnace charge or the charge from our vacuum
or exhaust furnace is or may be run at once for treatment up to a quantity of 50
tons at one time.
No. 4 Drawing represents our generator and its heater for the liquid process, and
its tanks for the compounds used, as herein-after described.
Nos. 5 and 5 Drawings represent our vacuum or exhaust air furnace for the
melting of the metal from the ore or from pig with its stack of retorts, pipes, &c.,
&c., which are shewn on Drawing 6.
No. 6 Drawing represents our balling, heating, and manipulating oven furnace,
with its heating pipes and furnace for the purpose of working up the metal after
its conversion either into wrought iron or into steel, also the before-mentioned
stack of retorts, &c.
No. 7 Drawing represents our puddling furnace with its movable bottom.
Drawing No. 1 represents our apparatus for carrying out the object of our
Invention, and shows the apparatus for the application of what we designate
the great force process, the liquid process, and the heat process, all of which
processes are connected and may be led direct to the metal through the same
pipes.
"We will now proceed to describe this Drawing-Figure (1)_shews an elevation,
and Figure (2) the plan of the apparatus before named. A, B, C, D, E, F, are the
high-pressure accumulating receivers for holding the great forces. These accumulating
receivers are provided with safety valves, and have pyrometers and heaters attached to
them. The accumulating receiver (A) is connected by a main pipe (G) to a blast

page_text: engine cylinder, and has atmospheric air or O or CO, forced into it to a pressure of
one or more atmospheres. The greater the pressure, the less time is required in the
operation. These forces are conveyed by a main pipe (K), which passes by the
before-named accumulating receivers. This pipe has a junction at (L) to couple the
heater and generator therewith. From thence the pipe passes on, and forms a
junction with the retorts for the heat process at (M), and then passes further on
to the metal receivers (N) and (O), and thence on still further into the trunnion
ladles (P) and (R). The accumulating receiver (B) contains CO,, or HF; the
accumulating receiver (C) contains C,H, or CH+Cl; the accumulating
receiver (D) contains C₁₂ or C₁H; the accumulating receiver (E) contains H,
and the accumulating receiver (F) contains N. These elements and forces are
prepared by any of the well known means usually employed for their production,
and are forced by pressure from their respective holders by an engine and cylinder
into their separate accumulating receivers through the main pipe (X). Each
accumulating receiver has a junction with the said pipe (✗), with a stop valve be-
tween each accumulating receiver. At the upper part of these accumulating receivers
is the main pipe (O), having a junction connected to the other accumulating receivers,
with a valve between. The said main pipe runs past each accumulating receiver, and
is continued alongside the main pipe (K) of the accumulating receiver (A), and passes
thence into the metal receiver or the trunnion ladle, Figure (N), (O), and (P), (R).
Figure 2 shews the plan of the before-named apparatus with the main pipes
valves, &c., but (X), (✗,) which is the generator and its heater, is herein-after described
by its Drawing, No. (4). The Figure (S) and the Figures (O), (O), we will also
describe from their respective Drawings, No. 3 and No. 6. This our (No. 1) Drawing
represents the general arrangement of our plant to be used with the compounds
and forces employed therein; also the receivers for the metal, necessary for carrying
out one of the purposes of this our Invention. This Drawing is to the scale of one-
eighth of an inch to the foot; but to the use of what are termed the great forces
no claim is made as forming part of the present Invention.
Drawing No. 2 represents our trunnion ladle and trolley along with its cover and
chamber or receptacle, and the movable platform, on to which the said ladle is
run when it has received its charge of metal. It is then raised up by wheels,
pinions, and crank power, acting on two upright screws working in the side frames
of the receptacle or chamber, within which the trunnion ladle is placed.
said platform may also be raised, by means of a ram attached to the under part
thereof.
The
Figure 1 represents the elevation of the side frame of the trunnion ladle, which
is made of strong iron and is lettered (P). It also represents the side view of the
box on the cover, which is fixed on to the two side frames by bolts and is lettered (N).
It also shows the main pipe (K), and it represents the section of the main pipe from
the accumulating receiver (A), shown on the plan of the great force process, which
said accumulating receiver contains atmospheric air or O or C O, and it passes the
contents of the same into the metal by a junction pipe which is fixed in the said
box cover (N), and is thence passed down into the metal in the ladle by the
descending pipes shewn in section at (Figure 2). A stop valve is placed in the
junction pipe, between the pipe (K) and box (N). The pipe (O) has the same
arrangement as the pipe (K), and it forms the conduct of all the materials from
each of the great force accumulating receivers, and also from the generator; the
brackets (g) carry these pipes. A relief valve is fixed on the box cover and its pipe,
which valve is marked (6).
Figure 2 is the section of the trunnion ladle shewing its frames, the moving
platform, and girders; it also shews the box cover, and the outlet flue with its
moving gear, and its bevil wheel and screw arrangement; it also shews the ladle
and its trolly. The sole plate of the trunnion ladle apparatus is made of cast-iron,
and marked (W). The said frames of the apparatus are marked (P), the moving
platform and girder are marked (R), the wheel gear is marked (A), and if the ladle
is worked by an hydraulic ram for lifting the platform, as herein-before named, the

page_text: piston thereof is marked (Z); the ladle trolly is marked (S), and is made of cast or
wrought iron. The ladle itself is made of wrought iron, having trunnions fixed
thereon running on bearings on a trolly frame, and having a worm and worm wheel
keyed thereon for tipping the same; the ladle is marked (L). An outlet is formed
from the ladle through the top corner of the framing marked (X), having a flap
valve attached marked (B). The box cover or chamber is marked (Y), and is the
receptacle into which all the requisite compounds pass, which are necessary for
treating the metal, and from this receptacle the said materials then pass down the
diagonal pipes into the metal in the ladle, which ladle is luted by its flange to the
internal lining of refractory material in the cover of the ladle, and which cover is
marked (A). These compounds may be heated in a retort just before passing into
the said receptacle. The ladle, the cover, the chamber or receptacle, and the flue
running along with its valves are all lined with suitable refractory material, and
are all marked (Q). The descending pipes are made of suitable refractory
material; (D) is the bracket which carries the flap valve gear of the flue, and the
spindles marked (d) are for working the valves for the two pipes before named,
and (b) is the relief valve and pipe on the box cover. The bracket projection from
the side frame marked (in) is intended for a platform for standing on.
Figure (3) shows the plan of the top of the chamber or receptacle for the
trunnion ladle, and the dotted lines thereon shew the ladle and trolly, and the
platform underneath; they also show the flap valve pipes and valve arrangement.
Figures (1), (2), and (3) are drawn geometrically, and are worked out mechanically
for needful strengths to a scale of three-quarters of an inch to the foot.
One mode of carrying out our Invention is shewn in the Drawing No. 4, which
is the generator and its heater for what we designate our liquid process, and (besides
being useful in combination with our trunnion ladle and metal receiver, and
vacuum or exhaust furnace) is capable of being adopted in the purification or
conversion of iron in the Bessemer converter.
When we apply it in connection with the Bessemer converter we form a bye
pass on the blast pipe which leads to the converter by which we pass atmospheric
air over and through the heater, and thence through the generator to the blast
pipe again from thence to the converter. When using it as part of our Invention
the compounds generated in our generator are conveyed by and with the blast into
the metal; it is only necessary to form two junctions with the blast pipe to apply
this process. There must be a valve in each junction pipe, one for the beater and
one for the generator, and one valve upon the blast pipe between to divert the
blast into the heater and generator, so as thereby to pass it over the heater, and
thence onward through the generator to the metal. We employ this part of our
Invention by forming junctions in our main pipe marked (K) in the plans herein-
before described, and we thereby convey the compounds in the generator to our
metal receiver or to the trunnion ladle.
Drawing No. 4 (Figure 1) of this plan represents the beater and generator and
tanks with their pipes, valves, and junctions; part of these are in elevation and the
other part are in section; (Figure 2) of the said plan is a plan of the said apparatus
through the line (1 to 1). The pipe (B) is the blast pipe from the blast engine air
cylinder communicating with our receiver (A) in Drawing No. 1. The junction
and pipe (S) lead from the said pipe (B) up to the top of the heater to which it is
properly bolted. The junction and pipe (P) lead down from the top of the
generator thence into the blast main pipe, and thence forward to the metal. The
valves inserted in these pipes are marked (p), the valve in the main pipe which
stops the blast, so that it passes through our apparatus is marked (k); the
cylindrical air heater is marked (D) and is made of wrought-iron plates about "
thick, properly rivetted together by angle iron about 1 foot 6 inches from the top,
and the bottom are plates of wrought iron (9), which are secured and rivetted to.
internal angle iron about 3" x 3" x 1" (m). These plates are bored full of
holes, and tubes of suitable diameters are fixed by proper ferrules between the top.
and bottom tube plates. The top and bottom spaces (b), (6) are chambers. The air

page_text: passes thereby into the top, and thence through the heated tubes (p) to the bottom
chambers, and thence forward to the generator. The space around these tubes is
supplied by the valve (7) with steam to heat the tubes, and the valve (8) is the
blow off for the condensed steam. A safety valve and pressure gauge marked (v) is
fixed on it. The generator with its tanks and steam jacket is marked H, and is
made of wrought-iron plates not less than 8" thick, and properly rivetted together
by angle iron and T iron. A space marked (m²) is formed at its bottom part
about 1' 6" deep, and a perforated grating (3) is fixed therein and supported on
internal angle iron; this chamber forms the blast chamber. The blast passes up
through the compounds which are placed in the inside thereof. A cylinder is fixed
round the upper part of the top of the generator, and is marked (N) having
divisions inside of it, thus forming seven internal compartments which are
marked A, B, C, D, E, F, and G. Into these seven compartments our liquid com-
pounds are placed, the compartments being lined with suitable materials.
Surrounding these seven compartments is another cylinder (S) with a steam jacket.
On the upper part of the generator and heater are safety valves (v), and affixed to
each compartment is the registering gauge (y) and the pressure gauge (g);
a thermometer is also used, and also a burner marked (a) to test the gas.
The inside of the generator is lined with Roman cement about 1" thick, and is
coated with asphalte which is covered with hot pitch. We fill the generator above
the air chamber with a layer of chalk, charcoal, or coke. The tanks or compart-
ments are connected to the generator by pipes and valves, or taps maked (m²)
through which the compounds contained in the tanks are passed for the treatment
of the metal. The said compounds are variously employed, according to the nature
of the metal under treatment. The compartments are marked A, B, C, D, E, F, and G.
The compartment (A) contains C₁, H., meaning thereby coal naptha; the compart-
ment (B) contains C₁ H; meaning thereby wood naptha; the compartment
(C) contains H, Cl+C H; the compartment (D) contains CI+C10 ; the
compartment (E) contains a solution of Na N O,+Ca O, condensed by dry steam
heat in water to its greatest density; the compartment (F) contains a solution of
HKO+Na HO+ Ča O, condensed by dry steam in water to its greatest density;
the compartment (G) contains HF. Of the above agents the use of those de-
scribed as being contained in (D) and (G) are disclaimed. These compounds, one
or more at pleasure, are passed by pressure, combined or not with the atmosphere,
or O direct into the metal, into our metal receiver, or into the trunnion ladle, where
they combine chemically, so as thereby to combine with or eradicate or destroy the
phosphorus, sulphur, arsenic and silicon, which are all passed off as phosphuretted
hydrogen, sulphuretted hydrogen, and arseniuretted hydrogen, and the silicon is
fluxed to the surface as silica.
Drawing (No. 2), Figures 4, 5, and 6, represent a retort oven for that part of our
invention which we designate the retort generating process. The said retorts are
fixed, and when used in conjunction with what we have designated our liquid
process they are fixed in a line. They are connected to the main pipes (K) and (O),
Drawing No. I, before described, and are also connected at will to our trunnion
ladle, or to the metal receiver, which latter is hereinafter described. These retorts
are shewn in Drawing No. 6, and are made of a suitable refractory material. They
are set up in brickwork by any of the well-known plans for setting retorts, with a
furnace underneath; at the front end of the retort is an inlet at its top through
which any of the materials required in the treatment of the metal may be passed.
We apply this part of our Invention as follows:-We heat the retort by its furnace,
and we then place therein a layer of charcoal, coke, manganese, lime, or chalk,
saturated with ordinary coal tar, and over which we spread a layer of charcoal or
coke; we then sprinkle lightly over these compounds a thin layer of Na Cl or Na
NO, or HK O, or Na H O, and we combine or use them separately as the different
classes may require. The whole mass being lighted and fused by a blast through
the retort will then generate gases which are passed into the body of the metal
under treatment, and which will effect its purification.

page_text: Figure (4) shews the elevation of the retorts; Figure (5) shews also the retort in
longitudinal section, and Figure (6) also shews the plan of the retort, and all these
Drawings are drawn to the scale of 3/4 inch to the foot. On the front wall of the
retort stack a tank is placed having a communication with the retort by means of a
pipe with a stop-cock, which cock is worked as may be required, and by its means
a measured quantity of tar filtered through lime to purify it, which is stored in the
tank above, is let into the retort to further assist in the purification of the metal.
This retort generating process may be used either with the trunnion ladle or with
the metal receiver herein described, or in the dam of our vacuum or exhaust furnace
herein described.
Drawing No. (3) is our metal receiver employed for the purification, refining, and
conversion of metal, and adapted for large quantities up to 50 tons in weight.
Figure (1) is the front elevation thereof, shewing the charging aperture with its
cover and its T screw cross head, also its two tapping holes and guard slide plates
and chains, along with its main supply pipes for the entrance of what we have
designated the great forces, or the other gaseous compounds necessary for puri-
fication. It also shews the valves and valve gear, the screw gear for the two outlet
valves and the relief or safety valves, with their pipes, also the sight hole pyrometer
and pressure gauge, and finally it shews the descending pipes from a chamber similar
to that described on the trunnion ladle. The descending pipes and chambers are
shown by dotted lines.
Figure (2) represents a section of Figure (1), at the centre line A, A ; letter B, both
in the elevation and in the section, shews a strong wrought-iron plate tube having
one flat side (F), being the sole plate on which it rests on a brick or stone founda-
tion (K). Rivetted to this sole plate are two upright web plates (V) properly
rivetted together by angle irons as shown. The ends of the said tube are of wrought
iron properly rivetted to angle irons. At their ends are formed the slagging
holes (S) having proper doors with T set up screws running parallel nearly the
whole length of the top; a strong wrought-iron box cover or chamber (N) is rivetted
thereto, and is the receptacle into which all the requisite compounds pass which are
necessary for treating the metal, and from thence by and through the descending
pipes into the metal. The relief valves and pipes fixed in the top of the box cover
or chamber are marked (P). The blow-off outlets are marked H, and the valves
which control the outlet flue and the wheel gear which work them are marked (M);
the main pipe marked (K) is the conduct pipe of the atmospheric air or O or CO;
the pipe (0) is the conduct pipe for the forces or the compounds, which are
conveyed to the box cover (N) by the junctions (6) having valves between (a) which
are worked by the gear (p). The cast iron brackets which carry the pipes are
marked (n), the inlet (through which the metal is run and which may be placed at
the most convenient part of the metal receiver near to the furnace) with its cover
and set up T cross head screw are marked (d), the holes for tapping the metal
receiver (so as to let out the metal) are marked (h). The sight hole of the metal
receiver is a tube having a thick piece of glass let into it, marked (i). The pyrometer
is marked (), and the pressure gauge is marked (k). The descending pipes to the
metal, the lining of the receiver itself and all the other parts in contact with fire are
made of refractory or other suitable material, marked Q. This completes the
description of our metal purifying, refining, and converting metal receiver, but we do
not bind ourselves to any size of metal receiver as it may be made either smaller or
larger.
We next proceed to describe in detail our vacuum or exhaust furnace for the
smelting of the metal from the ore or from the melting of the metal from pig or
scrap iron or of any other mixture of ores or of ores and metal combined. This
furnace is shewn on Drawings (No. 5) and (No. 5º). In the sides of the dam or
hearth of the furnace and up the side walls thereof air holes are formed, and pipes
are carried up to pass air or O or C, H, to the sloping hearths, and holes for rabbling.
the charge of the furnace are formed as shewn in Drawing (No. 5), which also re-
presents an elevation and plan which is in part a section of the above described

page_text: vacuum or exhaust furnace; Figure (1) is the elevation. The brick piers and the
arches which carry the hearths are marked (D). The hearths shewn by dotted
lines are marked (B). The arch above, into which the ore or other material to be
treated is shot from the platform, is marked K. The domed dam or receiver, into
which the metal runs from the hearths above, is marked N. The relief valve
over the dam is marked (L). The descending flue is marked (X). Figure (2) of
this Drawing shews the plan and part thereof in section. This plan is drawn to
the scale of a quarter of an inch to a foot. Drawing (5a) is a detail of Drawing
(No. 5) shewing the elevation of the vacuum or exhaust furnace, and this plan is
also accompanied with a part in section; Figure (1) and also Figure (2) represent
the detail arrangement; (D) shews the brick piers and the arches.
The oven
hearths are shewn by the letter (B); and (K) shews the arch or tunnel above, into
which the ore, coke, or other material are shot to fall through to the hearths below
through the openings marked (a). (m) is a pipe with a slip collar burner to be
used as a Bunsen burner for introducing the compounds for purifying and refining
the metal when conveying C, H, to the furnace hearths or for the conveyance of
air or O or CO, to support combustion when needed. The stage up each side of
the furnace walls is lettered (p). This plan is drawn to the scale of 1/2 inch to the foot.
As far as already described this furnace is a new ore smelting or ore and pig
smelting and melting furnace, and may be used as such without further additions.
We however, in some cases, add around the metal dam or hearth on the outside a
chamber of iron plate lined with refractory material having three or more openings
leading through the furnace lining, and connected with which are the descending
pipes leading nearly to the bottom of the dam or furnace hearth. Through these
pipes the compounds and gases before described are passed, thus combining the
smelting, melting, and purifying in one process. The valves and pipe arrangements
are the same as described for our metal receiver.
The retort generating process may also be used in combination with this furnace.
The products of these retorts will pass through the flues (b); or if we desire to do
so we can construct a grate bar furnace instead of the retorts, and pass the heat
through the flues (b).
To produce steel by our Invention we treat the metal produced by our Invention
in our metal receiver or trunnion ladle whilst still in its molten state, and turn on
the H after we have burnt out the C by the atmosphere or by O. We employ the
H to burn out the O for which it has an affinity, but it has no affinity for the iron
to any material extent. We then turn in the C10 H₂, or C₁ H₁, under pressure,
and force into the metal sufficient carbon therefrom to produce the quality of steel
required. We then cool down the metal by N, which will combine with any H.
that may be in the metal. If the metal however is intended to be converted
into extra fine steel we should prefer to take it into our trunnion ladles and further
refine it therein, as the smaller mass will be more under command.
Another part of our Invention is our heating, annealing, and balling retort oven
furnace. The ovens are constructed, as shewn in Drawing (No. 6), of iron plates,
wrought or cast, and are lined with suitable refractory material. The said plates
are either bolted or rivetted together, and are either square or octagonal in shape,
and may be of any suitable size. These plates are bolted on to upright pillars, and
are bolted on to a sole plate which is fixed on brickwork or masonry. A fire-grate
is formed to heat the furnace if and when necessary. At the edge of the furnace
top a strong cast-iron pipe is fixed leading from furnace to furnace, into which
CH, is admitted, or other gaseous compounds; descending from this pipe are two
or more pipes leading into each furnace. At the upper part of these pipes stop
valves are fixed to regulate the supply, and below these valves the pipes are per-
forated with tubes, over which a slip collar slides to regulate the supply of air
necessary to form combustion when used with C, H, as herein-before mentioned;
O or CO, may be supplied through these pipes. To the use of the above gases or
gaseous compounds no claim is made separately as forming part of the present
Invention.
holes
A

page_text: Drawing (No. 6), Figure (1), represents an elevation of the said retort oven
furnace. The pillars which carry the plates of the furnace are marked (P), and the
sole plate to carry them is marked (a). The bottom to which the side plates are
bolted to the said pillar is marked (R), and the side plates of the furnace are
marked (D). The sliding door is lettered (K). The pipe, and valve, and burners to
supply the furnaces with gases are lettered (B), and the dotted lines (0) shew the
line of the flame of the furnace. (Figure 2) represents the plan of the said furnace,
shewing the grate surface and the refractory material; and (Figure 3) represents a
section of the furnace and the outlet flue (A) with its supply pipe and burner (B).
This Drawing is drawn to a scale of 3% of an inch to the foot.
Drawing (No. 7), which is drawn to a scale of 1 inch to a foot, represents our
puddling furnace, which is constructed in the same manner as the heating furnace,
except that it has a movable truck ladle bottom, which can be lifted up and luted
by its cone top to the underneath part of the furnace either by hydraulic ram or by
5 wheel or screw gear. Figure (1) is the elevation of the said puddling furnace ;
Figure (2) is a sectional plan of the same; and Figure (3) is another section of it.
The melted metal is taken into the said ladle bottom, and may be taken in
quantities of about one ton, and is there, if necessary, puddled by the aid of
mechanical puddlers, as shewn in Figures (4), (5), and (6). These_mechanical
puddlers are made of an upright pillar fixed to a shaft by a clutch. The shaft is
moved backwards and forwards by levers keyed thereon, and having a slot therein
which works on a crank pin moved by a power. On the upper part of the pillar
is a cup or ball to which the rabble is fixed, which is worked by the pillar moving
to and fro. When puddled, or if the metal is pure enough without puddling, the
balling is effected in this furnace.
By our Invention we can at will by the use of one or more or all of our
Inventions, produce either ordinary pig iron, refined pig iron, charcoal pig iron,
: plate iron, refined plate iron, steel, refined steel, cast steel, mild steel, hard steel, or
wrought iron.
We are aware that various processes have been used, and also specified in
former Patents, having for their object the smelting of iron ore, the purification
of the iron produced by smelting, and the manufacture of cast iron, steel, and
Wrought iron.
We are also aware of the Bessemer process, in which air has been forced upwards
through the metal.
We do not claim any of the elements such as H and O mentioned in this, our
Specification.
We do not claim any of the chemical compounds mentioned in this our Specifi-
cation.
But what we do claim is,-
1. The production, purification, and refining of iron in the manner and by means
of the apparatus herein-before described and shewn respectively in Figures (1)
and (2) of Drawing No. (1); Figures (1), (2), (3), (4), (5), and (6), of Drawing No. (2)
Figures (1) and (2) of Drawing No. (3); Figures (1) and (2) of Drawing No. (4)
Figures (1) and (2) of Drawing No. (5); Figures (1) and (2) of Drawing No. (5º)
Figures (1), (2), and (3), of Drawing No. (6); Figures (1), (2), (3), (4), (5), and (6),
of Drawing No. (7), and any merely colourable imitation thereof.
2. The process herein-before called our liquid process, when used in the manner, by
means of the apparatus, and for the purposes herein-before described and any
merely colourable imitation thereof.
3. The process herein-before called our retort generating process, when used in
the manner, by means of the apparatus, and for the purposes herein-before described,
and any merely colourable imitation thereof.
4. The refining of metal and manufacture of steel in our trunnion ladle when
carried on in the manner and by means of the apparatus herein-before described,
and any merely colourable imitation thereof.
5. The refining of metal and manufacture of steel in our metal receiver when

page_text: carried on in the manner and by means of the apparatus herein-before described
and any merely colourable imitation thereof.
6. The furnace herein-before described, and called our vacuum or exhaust furnace,
when used as herein-before described, only for the smelting and melting of ore and
iron, and any merely colourable imitation thereof.
7. The furnace herein-before described and called our vacuum or exhaust furnace
when used as herein-before described, not only for the smelting and melting of ore
and iron, but also for the purification thereof as well as for the manufacture of steel,
and any merely colourable imitation thereof.
8. The apparatus herein-before called our heating, annealing, and balling retort
oven furnace, when used in the manner and for the purpose herein-before described,
and any merely colourable imitation thereof.
9. The apparatus herein-before called our puddling furnace when used in the
manner and for the purpose herein-before described, and any merely colourable
imitation thereof.
In witness whereof, I, the said Samuel Richard Smyth, on behalf of myself
and the said Company, have hereunto set my hand and seal, this Sixteenth
day of June, in the year of our Lord One thousand eight hundred and seventy-
BAWAN
I hereby grant my fiat, giving leave to the above-named Samuel Richard Smyth,
on behalf of himself and the Standard Iron and Steel Company (Limited), to file in
the Great Seal Patent Office, with the Specification to which the same relates,
the above written Disclaimer and Memorandum of Alteration.
HARDINGE S. GIFFARD,
2

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Samuel Richard Smyth, of No. 58, Fountain
Street, Manchester, in the County of Lancaster, Engineer, &c., and
Joseph Simpson, of No. 58, Fountain Street, Manchester, aforesaid,
for the Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN THE PRODUCTION AND MANU-
FACTURE OF IRON AND STEEL, AND IN THE APPARATUS and CompouNDS EMPLOYED
THEREIN.
"
Sealed the 16th April 1875, and dated the 7th November 1874.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Samuel Richard Smyth
and Joseph Simpson at the Office of the Commissioners of Patents,
with their Petition, on the 7th November 1874.
We, SAMUEL RICHARD SMYTH, of No. 58, Fountain Street, Manchester,
in the County of Lancaster, Engineer, &c., and JOSEPH SIMPSON, of
No. 58, Fountain Street, Manchester, aforesaid, do hereby declare the
nature of the said Invention for "IMPROVEMENTS IN THE PRODUCTION AND
MANUFACTURE OF IRON AND STEEL, AND IN THE APPARATUS AND COMPOUNDS
EMPLOYED THEREIN," to be as follows:-
This Invention has for its object improvements in the melting,
purifying, and refining of iron, and in the conversion of iron melted in a

page_text: blast vacuum furnace from the ore and from pig iron, and for freeing
iron.
the metal from its impurities and bringing it into refined or pure
Also for converting the metal into wrought iron or mild steel, casting
the same into ingots or castings.
Also for converting the metal into hard steel by a direct process
from the blast vacuum furnace at one melting from the ore, and for
the refining of other metals to which the process or processes are
applicable.
Also for puddling, balling, heating, and annealing retort oven
furnaces, so that in the manner herein-after described they act in con-
junction in the manipulation of the iron or steel by means of a fuel con-
sisting of gases with a purified carbon employed therein in an apparatus
consisting of a trunnion ladle or receiver.
This ladle and receiver can be manufactured either of wrought plates
or cast iron, and must be lined with segmental bricks composed of
silica, fire-clay, or fire-clay and plumbago, or by a mixture of silica,
plumbago, asbestos, alumina, and blood, so as to withstand the action of
the intense heat generated therein; this refractory material may be
made in one piece or in segments.
A receiver is constructed near the blast furnace so as to take the
whole metal charge therefrom, or a trunnion ladle is fixed on a trolly and
frame, and a chamber or receptacle is constructed to receive the said
ladle and trolly in which is placed a platform, and under it is placed an
hydraulic ram or wheel gear may be fixed so as to wind the same up by
a rack or worm on to a cover or top made of the aforesaid refractory
material, which apparatus is supported either on brickwork or otherwise.
Over this cover is placed an iron one and a box or receiver having an
inlet at its end, side, or top, and under the cover of this box two or more
taper holes are made which pass through the main cover, into which
openings are inserted two or more descending pipes of the aforesaid
refractory material, sufficiently long to reach down to the bottom of the
ladle. The ladle is then brought up tight under the cover by means of
the ram or wheel and screw gear and rack, and it is sealed on its upper
flange, either by damp fire-clay or by any other suitable cement. On
the cover is the fluo or outlet hole for the escape of the waste gases

page_text: which is so placed that it blows direct into a horizontal flue or chimney
above. Over this hole is a cover of the aforesaid refractory material
which is supported by a rod, and is connected by a lever and pillars
leading to the front of the chamber. On this cover are placed weights
so as adequately to regulate the pressure of the gases in the ladle.
Immediately at the back of the ladle, in a line with the top of the
cover box, is fixed a retort oven made of the aforesaid refactory material,
set in brickwork in the usual way, having a small furnace underneath,
which said furnace leads to a flue running horizontally at the back of
the retort oven, into which flue the gases from the ladle by the outlet
pipe on the cover are discharged. At the end of the retort oven is
placed a flue or pipe of the aforesaid refractory material oncased in iron
leading direct to the box on the ladle cover having the descending pipes,
herein-before specified, down to the metal. The said pipes being the
thoroughfare through which all the properties are carried which are
intended to be used in purifying, refining, or converting the metal. At
the front end of the retort oven is an inlet at its top through which
some of the properties required in the treatment of the metal are passed.
Placed on the front wall of the retort stack is a tank having a commu-
nication with the retort oven by means of a pipe with a stop-cock which
is to be worked as may be required, and a measured quantity of the
material therein is to be let into the retort. Connected with the above
inlet is a pipe of suitable dimensions and strength, through which is
forced some of the properties into and through the retort oven, and from
thence to the ladle and through its pipes to the metal.
In direct communication with the box inlet of the cover over the
ladle there is connected an iron pipe of suitable strength and dimensions,
which pipe also forms a junction with the last before-named pipe
having a stop-cock therein, which aforesaid pipe is to convey the
properties required either through the retort oven or direct by
itself into the metal. This pipe is also connected with high-pressure
receivers charged to the necessary pressure by an engine and pumps into
which some of the properties are forced to any required pressure
necessary for the treatment of the metal and to overcome the weight of
the metal in the ladle or receiver.
The apparatus will have all the needful guages and safety valves

page_text: raise the heat of the properties contained therein, or it will be provided
with an apparatus for heating them by gas.
Connected to the above pipes by junctions and cocks there is attached
an iron upright tank cylinder scrubber of suitable size and strength,
having two compartments therein. The lower compartment is separated
by a division which has holes therein for filtration of the various chemical
properties placed above. There is a cylindrical air heater connected
therewith.
The chemical properties are contained in sealed tanks which are con-
nected to the upper part of the tank cylinder by connecting pipes and
cocks and registering guages.
Immediately before the junction pipe attached to the cylinder is a
junction pipe and cock leading to its top, and a stop-cock on the other
side of it, so that the properties passing through the above pipe may be
stopped and made to pass through the cylinder, and from thence into
the same pipe again, and thus to follow to the box cover, and into the
metal in the ladle or receiver, or should it be preferred, the products
generated in the tanks and cylinder scrubber can be passed through iron
pipes heated in a furnace to any required heat, and from thence passed
into the pipes leading to the metal in the ladle or the receiver.
The apparatus herein-before described is necessary for the treatment
of the metal according to our Invention, which may be divided as
follows:-
1. Blast vacuum furnace receiver and apparatus exhauster and com-
pounds.
2. Trunnion ladle and trolly, its chamber platform and lift, its cover,
box flue, and descending pipe or pipes and apparatus.
3. Retort oven, its flues, setting furnace, its horizontal flue, its inlet
and outlet, along with inlet pipe, tank, guages, &c.
4. The upright tank, cylindrical scrubber, and its supply tanks,
gauges, and its connections, with the pipes and heated pipes leading to
the ladle and receiver for conveying the properties to the metal; also an
air heater.
5. Retort, puddling, balling, heating, and annealing ovens for the
manipulation of the manufactured products and their fuels, gases, and
receivers.

page_text: 6. A special refractory material for all purposes of furnaces.
7. The high-pressure receivers for the great forces employed, their
connections and pipes.
The above constitute the apparatus necessary to carry out our Inven-
tion, excepting such apparatus as is required to manufacture the com-
pound properties by which we act upon the metal in purifying, refining,
and converting the same, which we now specify in their order.
Our Invention consists of the melting, purifying, refining, and con-
verting the metal in its molten state as it is melted in the blast, vacuum,
or other furnace from the ore, or as it is melted from the pig in an
ordinary cupola. We draw the said metal into a receiver or trunnion
ladle fixed in a frame on a trolly, which runs on a rail track to the
converting chamber or receptacle from the furnaces direct in about five
ton or other quantities. These ladles and chambers or receivers we can
multiply to any desired number, so as to produce a casting of any
weight, and the whole charge of metal can be treated so that it will be
ready for a cast at one time, however large the required casting may
be, as for instance screw or paddle shafts, ships' screws, stern posts,
or armour plate and guns, or for large quantities of steel ingots at
one uniform temperature.
We now specify the mode we adopt, and the agents or properties
which we employ in order to effect the purification, refining, and con-
version of the metal.
The receivers are fixtures, but the trunnion ladle is placed on the
rising platform in the chamber or receptacle, and is raised up to the
cover or top, in which are fixed the descending diagonal conduct pipes
herein-before described, and the ladle is sealed tight thereto by a layer
of fire-clay or cement, the metal being in the ladle or receiver, and in its
place.
We now specify the agents and properties which are employed to
effect the purifying, refining, and conversion of the metal.
All iron contains in combination certain metalloids or impurities, the
chief of these being carbon, manganese, silicon, sulphur, phosphorus,
arsenic, &c., and these metalloids must be displaced and nearly all the
carbon removed before the metal can be purified and its conversion into
steel can be effected, To accomplish this chemical agents as reagents

page_text: drawn from the simple products and compounds of nature are employed,
which agents and reagents are as follows:-For the ordinary purifying
and refining of the metal we heat the retort oven by its furnace. We
then place therein a layer of charcoal, coke, manganese, lime, or chalk
saturated with ordinary coal tar, and over which we form a layer of
granulated charcoal or coke. We then sprinkle lightly over these com-
pounds a thin layer of common salt, or nitrate of soda, or caustic potash,
or oxide of iron, or one or all the above propertics at once, the whole
body thus forming a lighted mass fused by a gentle blast. We then turn
on into the pipe at the top end of the retort the oxygen or atmospheric
air or carbonic oxide contained and pressed into the receivers by the
pumps to the required pressure of ten atmospheres, if necessary, and
heated to 300 to 500 or more degrees in the receiver. We then open
the valve in the main pipe leading to the box covering the pipes, which
descend to the metal in the receiver or ladle, and should the metal
require a larger supply of carbon to maintain the oxidization, we have
fixed on the wall of the retort stack or on top of the main to the receiver
a tank containing coal tar and lime or any other liquid, mineral or
vegetable carbon, which tank is connected by a pipe and cock and guage
to the inlet pipe of the retort from which the supply is obtained; or if
necessary we force carburetted hydrogen or pure hydrogen, or nitrogen,
or oxygen, or monoxide through the metal.
The effect which is produced by this process is as follows:-We pass
by the process above described through a heated retort oven a strong hot
atmospheric blast, which evolves different gases from the material therein
placed, which material acts in combination or not with the heated
oxygen or carburetted hydrogen, and effects the purification of the metal
by the separation and destruction of its different alloys. Having thus
charged the metal with the compound properties which form a direct
combination with the metal and its alloys, and which effects their partial
separation, we then turn on (through an independent pipe which
leads into the main conduct pipe) the hot air, oxygen, or monoxide
from the high-pressure receivers, and evolve the impurities therefrom by
the use of the necessary compounds under a strong pressure, which
purge the whole mass under treatment. For the complete conversion of
the metal we then turn on direct from the high-pressure receivers heated
carburetted hydrogen, or pure hydrogen or nitrogen. Should there
remain sufficient carbon in the metal to combine with the oxygen.

page_text: atmospheric air or mon oxide, we turn into the same pipe conveying the
before-named properties some or all the properties just named into the
metal, and so arranged that they can be passed by themselves, or in
combination with each other. This is our first process, and we adopt it
for any ordinary quality of iron containing a-mean per-centage of carbon,
silicon, &c., along with a minimum per-centage of sulphur, phosphorus,
&c.; but should the metal contain a high per-centage of phosphorus and
sulphur we employ other agents to act in conjunction with those in the
retort process last described. These agents can however be applied
independently or in conjunction with the oxygen or air receiver, or they
may be applied with the carburetted hydrogen or the pure hydrogen or
nitrogen receivers. These receivers, as before mentioned, are connected
with the different pipes, which are let on or off as the case may require
in their application to the metal in the ladle or receiver.
The application of the next part of our Invention requires the erection
of an upright iron cylinder scrubber in compartments of a sufficient size
and strength for the purpose. A lower compartment therein must have
a perforated division for filtration, and in the upper portion thereof we
place oxide of iron, lime, or chalk, or charcoal, or other effective granu-
lated absorbers, so as to offer the least resistance to the passage of the
gaseous compound therein generated, or the oxygen and carburetted
hydrogen, or pure hydrogen or nitrogen, which we pass through the scrubber
just described under pressure and heat, and thence pass the compounds
An upright
to the main pipe, and so on to the ladle or receiver.
cylinder heater is connected to the cylinder scrubber described above.
With the upper part of the cylinder scrubber we connect sealed tanks
by pipes, stop-cocks, and guages, and in the said tanks we generate
chlorine, fluorine, gases, hydros and carbons, 'kalies, calciums, and car-
bonates. We also place cither compounds of lime, fluor spar, nitrate of
soda, caustic of potash, or salt reduced by steam and water into an iron
tank reduced to the densest gravity possible. We then introduce or
mix with the above hydros carbons or chlorine or muriatic acid if
necessary; also a carbonaceous material, which may be either oil,
mineral naptha, wood naptha, or petroleum, liquified tar, or any car-
bonaceous liquid simple or combined, which will filter through the
cylinder to the bottom thereof. We then force the air, oxygen, or mon
oxide, or carburetted hydrogen, or nitrogen sufficiently heated to reduce
any of the above compounds, or any separate part or parts thereof into a

page_text: :
gaseous compound, which is forced into the main pipe, thence into the
metal in the ladle or receiver. These principles or compounds act alone
or are combined together to effect their particular part in evolving the
aforesaid impurities from the metal, which then pass off as sulphuretted
hydrogen, phosphoretted hydrogen, arsenuiretted hydrogen, or we pass
any of the said principles or compounds through heated iron pipes, and
from thence into metal in the ladles or receivers. We then treat the
metal in the same way as is specified in the retort process herein-before
described by forcing the carbon, hydrogen, nitrogen and oxygen, air or
mon oxide under a high pressure into the metal by separate or combined
action.
The whole of the foregoing apparatus, either by the first process or
by the second in combination, are so arranged that they can be put into
action by themselves or they can be applied together or in connection
with each or both of the mains from the receivers.
We deal with distinct processes which we can combine or separate;
firstly, the air oxygen or monoxide; or secondly, the carburetted
hydrogen or pure hydrogen or nitrogen; thirdly, by the retort process
with its compounds; fourthly, by means of the cylinder scrubber and
its compounds and heater, and from thence to the metal. In conse-
quence of the variety of quality in metals it is necessary to have the
command of all the foregoing processes so as thereby to possess means
of treatment which can effect the purification, refining, and conversion
of any class of metal known.
The first object accomplished by our Invention in the treatment of
metal is the production of refined or pure pig iron. This is effected in
a few minutes from any quality of ore, and the time taken in this
process will vary only according to the impurities which are contained
in the metal. The metal is run from the receiver or the trunnion ladle
and the ladle is lowered and the pigs cast in the usual way.
A whole charge may be treated in the receiver or it may be treated
by increasing the number of ladles.
The second stage of results after the above is attained is the boil for
the change to wrought or pure iron, which change should be so regulated
that the metal can leave the receiver or ladle freely just before it a
coagulates, and then it should be run into the puddling or heating ovens
or moulds for blooms, &c., in which-state it may be allowed to set, and

page_text: from which it is taken to the retort balling ovens, where it is balled, and
is then further treated in squeezers or hammers or rolls. The description
of these ovens will follow hereon.
The third stage in the processes which we have invented is the
conversion of the metal to the quality necessary for steel ingots for rails.
This is accomplished by running the metal from the receiver in whole
charges or from the ladle. The ladle is lowered to the rails and is then
run near to the moulds, the ingot moulds having been first prepared
to receive the metal having their runners at their bottoms. The process
will then require the metal to be run into a dam in the centre of the
ingot bed. The ingot moulds must have gutters running right and left
from the centre dam. By adopting this plan the whole charges from
the receiver or ladles may be discharged into the moulds at a uniform
temperature which is so essential to the production of a uniform quality
of steel, or ingots may be run in the same way as is accomplished in the
Bessemer process into cast-iron moulds. Should a casting of 100 tons
or more be required it can be obtained by my process herein described.
Having arrived at the casting stage, and having allowed the ingots or
castings sufficient time to set, the next important part of our process
and Invention is the heating or annealing retort ovens which are made
of the aforesaid refractory material and are set in the ordinary way under
an arch having a fire in the middle at the bottom of the stack, which
fire will keep the retorts at a red heat. These retorts may
be oven
shaped, with flat bottoms and with dome arch tops wide enough to take
the ingots abreast, and deep enough to allow a small space at the crown.
On the bottom of the retorts is sprinkled a fine layer of charcoal to
prevent sticking, and the door of these retorts can be sealed by the usual
luting or not. The retort doors are to be fixed on a hinge, and the door
is to have a bracket cast on so that it will fall flat in a line with the
bottom of the retort, or the door may be made to slide up and down
with weights when the retorts are charged with ingots and closed.
We then turn in at any suitable part (but we prefer the mouthpiece) a
double nozzle burner pipe having a stop cock, through which we force
carburetted hydrogen combined with air by natural pressure or by
oxygen pressed from the receivers in parts of one to eight to 15 of air or
oxegen ignited, whereby internal heat is maintained by combustion in
the retort oven. This being under perfect control any amount of
temperature can be kept up, carbonic oxide being formed and each

page_text: retort being independent of its fellow, or we partially charge the retorts
with desulphurized coke or charcoal and apply air or oxegen only. So
soon as the ingots are at the required heat they may be taken on a truck
to the tilting or steam hammers, and may there be forged to the
required size for forgings. or to the rolling mills. After forging they
may again be placed in the retorts and heated to the required heat for
the rolling mills through which they are passed, rolled, and finished into
rails; so by our Invention we take the metal direct from the blast
furnace, and it is never allowed to cool until it comes out finished as a
rail or other production, and thereby a most important point is gained
in the complete adhesion of the metal, as the centre of the ingot
always remains the hottest by our treatment and processes, whereas if
the ingots are allowed to cool and are reheated the centre is naturally
the coolest part, according to the law by which one atom conducts to
another. The same principles apply to manufactured products for 1
uses.
For the manufacture of the finest shear and cast steel we employ the
finest carburetted pigs, which are treated according to the processes
described in the foregoing Specification, but more particularly we treat
the metal with hydrogen, oxygen, and nitrogen under great pressure.
Should however more carbon be required than the pig contains, we
supply it from the carburetted hydrogen, which completes its con-
version. We then take the ingots and forge them and cut them up, and
remelt them at a great heat in pots in the retort ovens previously
described, and one melting and forging will thus produce a high class
steel.
The next part of our Invention consists of the use of the aforesaid
receivers, which are forced up to any pressure, even to 10 atmospheres,
in connection with the blast vacuum furnace, or they may be used in
connection with blast furnaces at present existing. An outlet main pipe a
is led from each receiver, in which there are stop valves. The main pipe
through which the carburetted hydrogen and other gases pass should
have an area of about one-tenth part of the aforesaid main pipe, but
the receivers must be maintained at the same pressure, and each main
pipe may be connected with a high-pressure meter in order to register
the quantity of gas passed.
We construct stacks of retort ovens necessary for the purposes of our

page_text: and tie bolts, into which we fix ten or more tubular retorts of the afore-
said refractory material, cach retort being about ten feet long and about
twelve inches internal diameter. These retorts pass through the end-
walls of the stack, on to which we fix cast-iron mouth-pieces to carry-
the doors and cross bars. An inlet socket is cast on the retort. mouth-
piece, the branches of which lead to a junction pipe, and so connect the
retorts in the stack dircct with the air, oxygen, or the monoxide main,
in which main pipe is fixed requisite stop valves. Between these valves
and the retort stack is a junction pipe about one-tenth of the area of the
said main pipe, into which carburetted hydrogen and other gases are
passed, the main pipe having a stop valve therein. At the outlet end of
the retort stack a strong air-tight fire-brick or iron chamber is con-
structed, which is braced with iron plates and tie bolts, narrowing to the
size of the blast flue to the furnace, and enlarging so as to take in the
whole of the outlets of the retorts. In the side of the said chamber a
door is fixed, so as to clear it from any of the products which may be
blown through the retorts. The retort ends will have gratings of the
aforesaid refractory material fixed therein, or they may be solid ends
with holes in them, and they must be set by any of the well-known
plans for setting retorts in stacks, having the furnace constructed at the
bottom in the centre of the stack, and so set that the retorts will have a
uniform heat therefrom. Into the retorts we place chalk, lime, lime-
stone, clay, oxide of iron, charcoal, coke, or manganese, one or all
saturated with tar or not, or we introduce the kalis, &c., as before spe-
cified. We turn the blast into the main direct through the retorts, and
thence on to the blast vacuum or other furnace, or we turn on into
the same main into which atmosphere, oxygen, or nonoxide has been
passed the carburetted hydrogen or other gases, as the case may require,
and thence through the retorts to the furnaces. We fix on the wall of
the retort stack an iron tank to hold tar and lime, or any other car-,
bonaceous material. The contents of this tank we let out in measured
charges into each retort, so as to supply carbon for the combustion of
the air or oxygen as it is found necessary in the melting of the different
qualities of ore. We also pass through the retorts or not, and thence to.
the blast furnace, any or all of the compounds hercin-before set forth.
We utilize the upright cylinder scrubber and its compounds and heating.
pipes in conjunction with the retorts or not, so that we can hold the
command of any or all the properties which are necessary in treating the
different qualities of ores.

page_text: We purpose to use the whole of the combustible material contained in
coal, and which are usually passed away at the top of the blast furnace
and are wasted. For this object we calcine the coal in the usual gas
retorts, and evolve and purify the gas, which is then passed into a gas
holder. This gas we use as fuel by passing it through heated retorts or
not in combination with atmospheric air or oxygen, and thereby we
generate carbonic oxide, and any impurities left in the gases are absorbed
by the lime, &c., in the retorts.
We use dust coal or any bituminous coal or carbons to generate the
carburetted hydrogen gases. The coke resulting therefrom being charged
with impurities opposed to the pure smelting of iron, and more especially
sulphur, we treat with chloride of lime, oxide of iron, salt, soda, potash,
muriatic acid, or chloride of manganese, or the compound of lyes or other
desulphurizing agent or agents%; we mix a proportion of unslaked
lime or oxide of iron, and slake the same with water and pour it on to
the coke, and thus purify it. We also mix any of the above properties
or compounds in their proper proportions with different classes of iron
ores, and we wet the same with the above-named agents or some of them
to desulphurize and dephosphorize the ores. We then form a mixed
conglomerate of the iron ore, lime, and coke in suitable portions for com-
bustion, and we charge the furnace with it, through which pure carbonic
oxide is being forced from the retorts at a high pressure charged with
abundance of carbon, purifying and fluxing compounds at will. Over
the apparatus and these properties there is perfect control.
We utilize the present class of blast furnaces by contracting their
outlet tops, and fixing thereon a flap valve cone top, weighted for
pressure to hold the gases in the furnaces, and connect them to a lever
for opening and shutting. The charges may be made by doors, which
are made to open inside.
The next process we describe for applying gas as a heating property
is by constructing retort ovens having suitable doors with mouth pieces
and an ascension pipe with valve to carry away the surplus gases.
These retort ovens we charge with desulphurized coke or charcoal,
and turn in air or oxygen mixed or not with carburetted hydrogen by
a mouth piece, herein-before described, from the receivers, evolving a
thereby in the furnace an intense heat on ignition, by which the
process of puddling, balling, heating, and annealing may be effected, and

page_text: .
a high quality of iron may be produced by the ordinary methods now
used. We build a retort stack having an arch top and tied with plates
and bolts, as herein-before described, and having an outlet flue, in which
we fix retort ovens with a furnace at the bottom so set that the retorts
are uniformly heated. At the mouth is placed the puddling hole. These
retort ovens may be used for the puddling of the metal direct from ore
or pig iron, for the heating and welding of scrap, for the manipulation
of blooms, and for the heating and manipulation of the refined purified
decarburetted metal, such as is produced in the receiver or trunnion
ladle herein-before set forth; we apply also the same principle to
heating ovens and furnaces for plates and for large masses of either iron
or steel, such as screw shafts, armour plates, guns' axles, paddle shafts,
ships' stern posts and keels, or for other uses. Over these retorts there
is perfect control, inasmuch as any quantity of heat can be generated
by the introduction air or oxygen, which acts as a strong blast upon
the carbon contained or passed into the retort oven therein, and thereby
evolving pure monoxide and decomposing the carburetted hydrogen,
Or we pass into the oven furnace pure carburetted hydrogen by itself or
mixed with air or oxygen, thereby effecting the crystallisation of any
metal placed therein by using ivory black or any other pure carbon-
aceous material, or we force in hydrogen and nitrogen and apply the
same principle to any and every kind of furnace.
This our Invention and discoveries result in the more perfect com.
bustion of fuels, the application of the gases and carbon contained in the
same for the purposes of obtaining heat, and in their improved applica-
tion to various furnaces for producing iron and steel.
The next part of our Invention is the blast vacuum furnace. This
furnace is built of ordinary brickwork, but all its parts in contact with
fire are built of the aforesaid refractory material. The furnace is formed
of two side walls built on piers and arches, and it is formed on an
inclined plane at an angle of about 30 degrees. At the lower part of
the furnace is the dam or hearth for the molten products. On the
inclined plane are formed six or more hearths or ovens dome-shaped at
a reduced incline to the furnace. These hearths rise one after the other,
but they lead from one to the other. Over the whole of the furnace
oven hearths an arch is turned over the whole length. Over the oven
arch is built another arch extending over three or more of the said
hearths, in which there are spaces left for the ore, &c., to fall on to the

page_text: hearths below. The ore, &c., is shot from the trucks into the said first
mentioned arch from the top of the furnace. The descending flue leads
down from the highest part, and at the bottom a large chamber is
formed, from which said chamber the flue continues, and in which is
placed an exhauster driven at a high velocity, thus forming a strong 5
vacuum over the furnace hearths. From the dams slag holes will be
formed at the metal level. At the dam an inlet for the air is to be con-
structed over the top of the dam, and is to pass through the side walls
to the hearths. We fix a stack of retorts, as before set forth, between
the two side walls at the lowest part of the furnace, and we apply 1
thereby all the compounds or principles before specified herein, which
we introduce at the bottom and up the side walls of the furnace through
pipes, the contents of which act as adjuncts for the smelting of the ore.
We also run the whole charge into a receiver from the furnace and
apply the whole of the compounds or principles herein-before. specified 1
for purifying, refining, and conversion of metals, as herein-before set
forth. The said receiver is constructed on the same plan as the
trunnion ladle herein-before described.
By our Invention we hold the complete control of the metal in any
of its stages, and we can produce any required quality thereof, and we 2
can obtain productions therefrom of any size or weight. These pro-
ductions of our Invention are made of a uniform quality throughout
by using in the manner specified herein the compounds, properties, and
forces herein-before named in the proper proportions, and by expelling
the impurities in the metal therefrom.
The appliances vary according to the classes of metal placed under
treatment, and it is therefore impossible to define exact proportions or
to specify the precise time during which the metal requires to be kept
under the operation of the various modes of treatment or any of them.
But the application of the principles of our Invention are regulated by 3
time pressure guages, pyrometers, and the spectrum, and the judgment
and experience of the operator will at all times be sufficient to regulate
these details, according to tho requirements of the metal under
treatment.

page_text: properties and apparatus, refractory material, gases and fuel, and the
heating and annealing retort ovens and retorts, and the blast vacuum
furnace, the whole being contingent one upon another, whereby the
purposes of our Invention and discoveries are affected.
SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent,
filed by the said Samuel Richard Smyth and Joseph Simpson in
the Great Seal Patent Office on the 7th May 1875.
TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, we, SAMUEL
RICHARD SMYTH, of No. 58, Fountain Street, Manchester, in the County
of Lancaster, Engineer, &c., and JOSEPH SIMPSON, of No. 58, Fountain
Street, Manchester, aforesaid, send greeting.
WHEREAS Her most Excellent Majesty Queen Victoria, by Her
Letters Patent, bearing date the Seventh day of November, in the
year of our Lord One thousand eight hundred and seventy-four, in
the thirty-eighth year of Her reign, did, for Herself, Her heirs and
successors, give and grant unto us, the said Samuel Richard Smyth
and Joseph Simpson, Her special license, that we, the said Samuel
Richard Smyth and Joseph Simpson, our executors, administrators,
and assigns, or such others as we, the said Samuel Richard Smyth
and Joseph Simpson, our executors, administrators, and assigns, should
at any time agree with, and no others, from time to time and at all
times thereafter during the term therein expressed, should and lawfully
might make, use, exercise, and vend, within the United Kingdom of
Great Britain and Ireland, the Channel Islands, and Isle of Man, an
Invention for "IMPROVEMENTS IN THE PRODUCTION AND MANUFACTURE OF IRON
AND STEEL, AND IN THE APPARATUS AND COMPOUNDS EMPLOYED THEREIN,' upon
the condition (amongst others) that we, the said Samuel Richard
Symth and Joseph Simpson, our executors or administrators, by an
instrument in writing, under our or their hands and seals, or under
the hand and seal of one of us, or them, should particularly describe
and ascertain the nature of the said Invention, and in what manner
the same was to be performed, and cause the same to be filed in the
Great Seal Patent Office within six calendar months next and
immediately after the date of the said Letters Patent.
""

page_text: NOW KNOW YE, that we, the said Samuel Richard Smyth and
Joseph Simpson, do hereby declare the nature of the said Invention,
and in what manner the same is to be performed, to be particularly
described and ascertained in and by the following statement thereof,
and the Drawings which accompany :—
1. This Invention has for its object improvements in the melting,
purifying, and refining of iron. The conversion of iron smelted or
melted in a blast vacuum or exhaust furnace from the ore or from pig
iron, and for freeing the ore and metal from its impurities and bringing
it into refined or pure iron.
2. Also for converting the metal into wrought iron or mild steel, and
casting the same into ingots or castings.
3. Also for converting the metal into hard or soft steel by a direct
process from the blast vacuum or exhaust furnace at one melting from
the ore.
Our apparatus can be used for the melting and refining of other:
metals to which the process or processes are applicable.
4. Also for improvements in puddling, balling, heating, and
annealing furnaces which we call retort oven furnaces, so that in the
manner herein-after described they act in the subsequent manipulation
of the iron or steel by means of a fuel consisting of gaseous
compounds.
5. And an apparatus consisting of a trunnion ladle or metal
receiver.
This ladle and the metal receiver can be manufactured either of
wrought iron plates or cast iron, and must be lined with a refractory a
material, which we prefer to be made of segmental bricks composed of
our refractory material, so as to withstand the action of the intense heat
generated therein; this refractory material may be made in one piece
or in segments.
Our metal receiver is constructed near any existing blast furnace when ɛ
the whole of our Invention is not being used or near our vacuum or
exhaust furnace so as to take the whole metal charge therefrom. Our
trunnion ladle is fixed on a trolly and frame, and a chamber or receptacle
is constructed to receive the said ladle and trolly, in which is placed a
platform and under it is placed an hydraulic ram, or wheel gear may be §
fixed so as to wind the same up by a rack or worm. The ram or rack or

page_text: worm forces the ladle up to a fixed cover or top made of iron, and lined
with refractory material, which cover or top is supported either on
brickwork or otherwise. Over this cover is a box or chamber having an
inlet in its end, side, or top. Two or more taper holes are made in the
cover which forms the bottom of the box or chamber into which are
inserted two or more descending pipes of the aforesaid or other refractory
material sufficiently long to reach down nearly to the bottom of the ladle.
The ladle is then brought up tight under the cover by means of the ram
or wheel and screw gear and rack, and it is sealed on its upper flange
either by damp fire-clay or by any other suitable cement or luting. On
the cover is also the flue or outlet hole for the escape of the waste gases,
which is so placed that it blows direct into a horizontal flue or chimney
above. Over the whole is a cover or lid of the aforesaid refractory material
which is supported by a rod, and is connected by a lever and pillars
leading to the front of the chamber; means are adopted to regulate the
pressure of the gases in the ladle.
Immediately at the back of the ladle, in a line with the top of the
cover box may be fixed a retort oven made of the aforesaid or other
refractory material set in brickwork in the usual way, having a small
furnace underneath, which said furnace leads to a flue running
liorizontally at the back of the retort oven into which flue the gases
from the ladle by the outlet pipe on the cover arc discharged. At the
end of the retort oven is placed a flue or pipe of the aforesaid or other
refractory material encased in iron leading direct to the box or chamber
on the ladle cover. At the front end of the retort oven is an inlet at its
top, through which such of the properties as are required in the treatment
of the metal are passed. Placed on the front wall of the retort stack is
a tank having a communication with the retort oven by means of a pipe
with a stop-cock which is to be worked as may be required, and a
measured quantity of the material therein is to be let into the retort.
Connected with the above inlet is a pipe of suitable dimensions and
strength through which is forced such of the properties as are required
into and through the retort oven, and from thence to the ladle and
through its pipe into the metal.
Connected with the pipes leading to the chamber of the furnace ladle
there are attached by junctions and cocks iron upright tanks of suitable
size and strength, in which gases are generated and heated by our liquid

page_text: The metal receivers herein-after described are fixtures, but the
trunnion ladle is movable as herein-before mentioned.
By our Invention we effect the purification of the metal by the
separation, destruction, or combination of the different alloys with or by
the compounds or gases used. Should this process of purification be 5
incomplete and the metal is becoming oxydised, we liquify it by turning
into the mass pure carburetted hydrogen. Should the metal contain a
high per-centage of phosphorus or sulphur we then employ suitable
agents to effect its combination or destruction. These agents can how-
ever be applied independently or in conjunction with the oxygen or air 1
receiver, or they may be applied with the carburetted hydrogen or the
pure hydrogen or nitrogen. The receivers for these gases are connected
with the different pipes which are let on or off, as the case may require,
in their application to the metal in the ladle or metal receiver.
In consequence of the varieties of quality in metals it is necessary to 1
have the command of all the foregoing gases or compounds, so as
thereby to possess means of treatment which can effect the purification,
refining, and conversion of any class of metal known.
Having arrived at the casting stage, and having only allowed the
ingots or castings just sufficient time to set, the next important part of 2
our process and Invention is the heating or annealing retort ovens,
which are made of our or other refractory material and are set in the
ordinary way under an arch having a fire in the middle at the bottom of
the stack, which fire will keep the retorts at a red heat. These retorts
may be oven-shaped with flat bottoms and with dome arch tops, wide 2
enough to take the ingots. abreast and deep enough to allow a small
space at the crown. On the bottom of the retorts is sprinkled a fine
layer of charcoal to prevent sticking, and the door of these retorts can
be sealed by the usual luting or not. We then turn in at any suitable
part (but we prefer the mouth-piece) a double nozzle burner pipe,
having a stop-cock through which we force carburetted hydrogen com-
bined with air by pressure or by oxygen pressed from the receivers in
parts of 1 to 8 to 15 of air or oxygen ignited, whereby internal heat is
maintained by combustion in the retort oven. This being under perfect
control any amount of temperature can be kept up, carbonic acid and
carbonic oxide being formed, and each retort being independent of its
fellow. Or we partially charge the retorts with desulphurized coke or
charcoal and apply air or oxygen or carbonic oxide. So soon as the

page_text: ingots are at the required heat they may be taken on a truck to the
tilting or steam hammers, and may there be forged to the required size
for forgings or be passed to the rolling mills.
In our treatment and processes the ingots are never allowed to cool
but are reheated before cooling, whereby the centre, which is naturally
the hottest part, remains the hottest as when originally cast.
For the manufacture of the finest shear and cast steel when the whole
of our Invention is not in use we employ the finest carburetted pigs
which are treated according to the processes above described, but more par-
ticularly we treat the metal with hydrogen, oxygen, and nitrogen under
pressure. Should however more carbon be required than the pig
contains we supply it from the carburetted hydrogen which completes
its conversion, we then take the ingots and forge them and cut them up
whilst still hot and remelt them in pots in our retort ovens, and one
melting and forging will thus produce a high class of steel.
Wo use the whole of the combustible materials contained in coal, and
which are usually past away at the top of the blast furnace and are
wasted. For this object we calcine the coal in the usual gas retorts and
evolve and purify the gas which is then passed into a gas holder. This
gas we use as fuel by passing it through heated retorts or not in com-
bination with atmospheric air or oxygen, and thereby we generate
carbonic oxide, and any impurities left in the gases are absorbed by the
lime &c., in the retorts.
We use dust coal or any bituminous coal or carbons to generate the
carburetted hydrogen gases.
The coke resulting from the manufacture of gas being charged with
impurities opposed to the pure smelting of iron and more especially
sulphur we treat whilst hot with water, adding chloride of lime, oxide of
iron, salt, soda, potash, muriatic acid or chloride of manganese, or a
compound of caustic leys or other desulphurizing agent or agents; or
we mix a proportion of unslaked lime and oxide of iron and slake the
same with water and pour it on to the coke and thus purify it.
We also mix any of the above materials or compounds with different
classes of iron ores in proportions according to the class of the iron ore,
and we wet the same with the above-named agents or some of them to
desulphurizo and dephosphorize the ores; we then form a mixed con.
1 2

page_text: glomerate of the iron ore, lime, and coke in suitable portions for com-
bustion, and we charge the furnace with it, through which pure carbonic
oxide is being forced from the retorts at a high pressure charged with
abundance of carbon, purifying and fluxing compounds at will. This
purified coke and ore we use in the vacuum or exhaust furnace which is
the next part of our Invention. This vacuum or exhaust furnace is
built of ordinary brickwork, but all its parts in contact with fire are
built of the aforesaid or other refractory material. The furnace is
formed of two side walls built on piers and arches, and it is formed on
an inclined plane at an angle of from 10 to 30 degrees. At the lower
part of the furnace is the dam or hearth for the molten products. On
the inclined plane are formed six or more hearths or ovens dome-shaped,
each having a reduced incline towards the furnace. These hearths rise
one after the other, but they lead from one to the other. There is a
bridge at the lower end of each hearth. Over the whole of the furnace
oven hearths an arch is turned over the whole length. Over the oven arch
is built another arch extending over three or more of the said hearths at
the higher end, in which there are spaces left for the ore and coke and
limestone to fall on to the hearths below. The descending or smoke
flue leads down from the highest part of the furnace, and at the bottom
a large chamber is formed, from which said chamber the flue continues,
and in which may be placed an exhauster driven at a high velocity, thus
forming a strong vacuum or exhaust over the furnace hearths. From
the dam or hearth an inlet for the air is to be constructed at the top
thereof, and is to pass through the side walls to the rising hearths.
We light the furnace by charging it with coke at the dam or hearth,
and up three or more of its rising hearths, we then light it at its tapping
hole, and when hot enough to charge with ore, &c., we stop the tapping
holes and use the furnace, as is herein-before described.
We fix a stack of retorts between the two side walls at the lowest part
of the vacuum or exhaust furnace, and we apply thereby all the
compounds or principles before specified herein which we introduce at
the bottom and up the side walls of the furnace through pipes, the
contents of which act as adjuncts for the smelting of the ore. We also
run the whole charge into a receiver from the furnace and apply the
whole of the compounds or principles herein-before specified for purifying,
refining, and conversion of metals, as herein-before set forth. The said

page_text: receiver is constructed on the same plan as the trunnion ladle herein.
before described.
By our Invention we hold the complete control of the metal in any
of its stages, and we can produce any required quality thereof, and we
5 can obtain productions therefrom of any size or weight. These pro-
ductions by our Invention are made of a uniform quality throughout by
using in the manner specified herein the compounds and properties
herein-before named in their proper proportions, and by expelling the
impurities in the metal therefrom. These appliances vary according to
O the classes of metal placed under the treatment, and it is therefore
impossible to define exact proportions or to specify the precise time
during which the metal requires to be kept under the operation of the
various modes of treatment or any of them; but the application of the
principles of our Invention is regulated by time, pressure gauges,
pyrometers, and the spectrum, and the judgment and experience of the
operator will at all times be sufficient to regulate these details according
to the requirements of the metal under treatment. An analysis of the
ore and metal under treatment will materially assist in the application of
our Invention to the different classes of ore and metal.
For the more correct and better understanding of our Invention we
number and describe the Drawings of our apparatus employed for the
carrying the same into effect.
As the agency of numerous chemicals are employed by us in carrying
out our processes, and are used together or separate, forming thereby
other compounds, we will describe some of the agencies we employ by
their chemical symbols, which are well known.
No. 1 Drawing is a key plan shewing the combination of the parts
shewn in Drawings 2, 3, and 4, and the retorts in Drawing 6, and
represents the arrangement of the apparatus which we employ for
carrying out our Invention for the purification and refining of iron and
its conversion into steel.
No. 2 Drawing represents our trunnion ladle with its chambers and
retort. The said ladle is employed for the treatment of the molten iron
after it is melted from the pig iron or from the ore, or as taken from
our metal converting and purifying receiver, or from our vacuum of
exhaust furnace.

page_text: 1
No. 8 Drawing represents our metal purifying, refining, and converting
metal receiver, into which a whole old blast furnace charge, or the
charge from our vacuum or exhaust furnace is or may be run at once
for treatment up to a quantity of 50 tons at one time.
. No. 4 Drawing represents our generator and its heater for the liquid
process, and its tanks for the compounds.
Nos. 5 and 5* Drawings represent our vacuum or exhaust air furnace
for the melting of the metal from the ore or from pig or other metals
with its stack of retorts, pipes, &c., &c., which are shown on Drawing 6.
No. 6 Drawing represents our retort, balling, heating, and manipu- 1
lating oven furnace with its heating pipes and furnace for the purpose
of working up the metal after its conversion either into wrought iron or
into steel; also the before-mentioned stack of retorts, &c.
No. 7 Drawing represents our puddling furnace with its movable
bottom.
•
Drawing No. 1 represents our apparatus for carrying out the object of
our Invention, and shows the apparatus for the application of what we
designate the great force process, the liquid process, and the heat process,
all of which processes are connected, and may be led direct to the metal
through the same pipes.
We will now proceed to describe this Drawing. Figure (1) shews an
elevation and Figure (2) the plan of the apparatus before named.
A, B, C, D, E, F, are the high-pressure accumulating receivers for
holding the great forces. These accumulating receivers are provided
with safety valves, and have pyrometers and heaters attached to them.
The accumulating receiver (A) is connected by a main pipe (G) to a
blast engine cylinder, and has atmospheric air or O or CO forced
into it to a pressure of one or more atmospheres. The greater the
pressure the less time is required in the operation. These forces are
conveyed by a main pipe (K) which passes by the before-named accumu-
lating receivers. This pipe has a junction at (L) to couple the heater
and generator therewith. From thence the pipe passes on and forms a
junction with the retorts for the heat process at (M), and thence passes
further on to the metal receivers (N and O), and thence on still further
into the trunnion ladles (P) and (R). The accumulating receiver (B)
contains CO₂, or HF; the accumulating receiver (C) contains C, H.

page_text: or C, H, CL; the accumulating receiver (D) contains O₁, H.
or O₁ H₁; the accumulating receiver (E) contains H; and the accu-
mulating receiver (F) contains N. These elements and forces are
prepared by any of the well-known means usually employed for their
production, and are forced by pressure from their respective holders by
an engine and cylinder into their separate accumulating receivers
through the main pipe (X). Each accumulating receiver has a junction
with the said pipe (X) with a stop valve between each accumulating
receiver. At the upper part of these accumulating receivers is the
main pipe (O), having a junction connected to the other accumulating
receivers with a valve between. The said main pipe runs past each
accumulating receiver, and is continued alongside the main pipe (K) of
the accumulating receiver (A), and passes thence into the metal receiver
or the trunnion ladle, Figure (N) (O) and (P) (R).
Figure (2) shews the plan of the before-named apparatus with the main
pipes, valves, &c., but (X) (X), which is the generator and its heater, is
herein-after described by its Drawing No. (4). The Figure (S) and the
Figures (0) (0) we will also describe from their respective Drawings No. 3
and No. 6. This our (No. 1) Drawing represents the general arrange-
ment of our plant to be used with the compounds and forces employed
therein, also the receivers for the metal necessary for carrying out one
of the purposes of this our Invention. This Drawing is to the scale of
one-eighth of an inch to the foot.
Drawing No. 2 represents our trunnion ladle and trolley along with its
cover and chamber or receptacle and the movable platform, on to which
the said ladle is run when it has received its charge of metal. It is then
raised up by wheels, pinions, and crank power, acting on two upright
screws working in the side frames of the receptacle or chamber, within
which the trunnion ladle is placed. The said platform may also be
raised by means of a ram attached to the under part thereof.
Figure 1 represents the elevation of the side frame of the trunnion
ladle, which is made of strong iron, and is lettered (P). It also repre-
sents the side view of the box on the cover, which is fixed on to the two
side frames by bolts, and is lettered (N). It also shews the main pipe (K),
and it represents the section of the main pipe from the accumulating
receiver (A.) shewn on the plan of the great force process, which said
accumulating receiver contains atmospheric air or O or CO, and it
passes the contents of the same into the metal by a junction pipe, which

page_text: is fixed in the said box cover (N), and is thence passed down into the
metal in the ladle by the descending pipes shewn in section at (Figure 2)-
A stop valve is placed in the junction pipe between the pipe (K) and
box (N). The pipe (O) has the same arrangement as the pipe (K), and
it forms the conduct of all the properties from each of the great force
accumulating receivers, and also from the generator. The brackets (9)
carry these pipes. A relief valve is fixed on the box cover and its pipe,
which valve is marked (6).
Figure 2 is the section of the trunnion ladle shewing its frames, the
moving platform, and girders. It also shews the box cover and the outlet
flue with its moving gear and its bevel wheel and screw arrangement. It
also shews the ladle and its trolly. The sole plate of the trunnion ladle
apparatus is made of cast iron and marked (W). The said frames of the
apparatus are marked (P), the moving platform and girder are marked (R),
the wheel gear is marked (A), and if the ladle is worked by an hydraulic
ram for lifting the platform as herein-before named the piston thereof is
marked (Z). The ladle trolly is marked (S), and is made of cast or
wrought iron. The ladle itself is made of wrought iron, having trunnions
fixed thereon running on bearings on a trolly frame, and having a worm
and worm wheel keyed thereon for tipping the same. The ladle is
marked (L). An outlet is formed from the ladle through the top corner
of the framing marked (X), having a flap valve attached marked (B).
The box cover is marked (Y), and is the receptacle into which all the
requisite compounds pass which are necessary for treating the metal, and
from this recoptacle the said properties then pass down the diagonal pipes
into the metal in the ladle, which ladle is luted by its flange to the
internal lining of refractory material in the cover of the ladle, and which
cover is marked (A). These compounds may be heated in a retort just
before passing into the said receptacle. The ladle, the box cover, the
chamber or receptacle, and the flue running along with its valves are all
lined with our special or any other suitable refractory material, and are
all marked (Q). The descending pipes are made of our or any other
suitable refractory material. (D) is the bracket which carries the flap
valve gear of the flue and the spindles marked (d) are for working the
valves for the two pipes before named, and (b) is the relief valve and
pipe on the box cover. The bracket projection from the side frame
marked (m) is intended for a platform for standing on.

page_text: for the trunnion ladle, and the dotted lines thereon shew the ladle and
trolly and the platform underneath; they also shew the flap valve pipes
and valve arrangement. Figures (1), (2), and (3), are drawn geo-
metrically, and are worked out mechanically for needful strengths to a
scale of three-quarters of an inch to the foot.
One mode of carrying out our Invention is shewn in the Drawing
No. 4, which is the generator and its heater for what we designate
our liquid process, and (besides being useful in combination with our
trunnion ladle, and metal receiver, and vacuum or exhaust furnace) is
capable of being adopted in the purification or conversion of iron in the
Bessemer converter.
When we apply it in connection with the Bessemer converter we form
a bye pass on the blast pipe which leads to the converter by which we
pass atmospheric air over and through the heater, and thence through
the generator to the blast pipe again, from thence to the converter,
When using it as part of our Invention the compounds generated in our
generator are conveyed by and with the blast into the metal. It is only
necessary to form two junctions with the blast pipe to apply this
process. There must be a valve in each junction pipe, one for the
heater and one for the generator, and one valve upon the blast pipo
between to divert the blast into the heater and generator, so as thereby
to pass it over the heater, and thence onward through the generator to
the metal. We employ this part of our Invention by forming junctions
in our main pipe marked (K) in the plans herein-before described, and
we thereby convey the compounds in the generator to our metal receiver
and to the trunnion ladle.
Drawing No. 4 (Figure 1) of this plan represents the heater and
generator and tanks with their pipes, valves, and junctions; part of
these are in elevation, and the other part are in section; (Figure 2)
of the said plan is a plan of the said apparatus through the line (1 to 1).
The pipe (B) is the blast pipe from the blast engine air cylinder com-
municating with our receiver (A) in Drawing No. 1. The junction and
pipe. (S) lead from the said pipe B up to the top of the heater to which
it is properly bolted. The junction and pipe (P) lead down from the
top of the generator, thence into the blast main pipe, and thence forward
to the metal. The valves inserted in these pipes are marked (p); the
valve in the main. pipe which_stops the blast so that it passes through

page_text: our apparatus is marked (%); the cylindrical air heater is marked (D),
and is made of wrought-iron plates about " thick, properly rivetted
together by angle iron about 1 ft. 6 in. from the top, and the bottom
are plates of wrought iron (9) which are secured and rivetted to internal
angle iron about 3"x3"x"(m). These plates are bored full of holes,
and tubes of suitable diameters are fixed by proper ferrules between the
top and bottom tube plates. The top and bottom spaces (6), (b), are
chambers. The air passes thereby into the top and thence through the
heated tubes (p) to the bottom chambers, and thence forward to the
generator. The space around these tubes is supplied by the valve (r)
with steam to heat the tubes, and the valve (s) is the blow-off for the
condensed steam. A safety valve and pressure gauge marked (v) is
fixed on it. The generator with its tanks and steam jacket is marked (H),
and is made of wrought-iron plates not less than 3" thick, and properly
rivetted together by angle iron and T iron. A space marked (m²) is
formed at its bottom part about 1' 6" deep, and a perforated grating (y)
is fixed therein and supported on internal angle iron; this chamber
forms the blast chamber. The blast passes up through the compounds
which are placed in the inside thereof. A cylinder is fixed round the
upper part of the top of the generator and is marked (N), having
divisions inside of it, thus forming seven internal compartments which
are marked A, B, C, D, E, F, and G. Into these seven compartments
our liquid compounds are placed, the compartments being lined with
suitable materials. Surrounding these seven compartments is another
cylinder (S) with a steam jacket. On the upper part of the generator
and heater are safety valves (♥), and affixed to each compartment is the
registering gauge (y) and the pressure gauge (9), also thermometer and
a burner marked (a) to test the gas.
The inside of the generator is lined with Roman cement about 1"
thick, and is coated with asphalte, which is covered with hot pitch. We
fill the generator above the air chamber with a layer of chalk, charcoal,
or coke.
The seven tanks or compartments are connected to the
generator by pipes and valves or taps marked (m³), through which the
compounds contained in the tanks are passed for the treatment of the
metal. The said compounds are variously employed, according to the
nature of the metal under treatment. The compartments are marked
A, B, C, D, E, F, G. The compartment (A) contains C, H.; the com-
partment (B) contains O₁ H₁; the compartment (C) contains H CI,
"

page_text: •
× O H₂, or C₁ H₁, or H. C; the compartment (D) contains C I
× O, H; the compartment (E) contains a solution of Na N O, + Ca O,
condensed by dry steam heat in water to its greatest density; the
compartment (F) contains a solution of H KO + Na HO+ Ca O,
condensed by dry steam in water to its greatest density; the compart-
ment (G) contains H F. These compounds are generated into gases in
their compartments and also in the generator, and the gases, one or more
at pleasure, are passed by pressure, combined or not with the atmosphere
or O direct into the metal into our metal receiver or into the trunnion
ladle, where they combine chemically, so as thereby to combine with or
eradicate or destroy the phosphorus, sulphur, arsenic, and silicon, which
are all passed off as phosphuretted hydrogen, sulphuretted hydrogen, and
arseniuretted hydrogen, and the silicon is fluxed to the surface as silica.
We can employ in conjunction with this part of our Invention our great
force process, as before specified, but chiefly the forces H and N and O,
the blast and these great forces passing through the generator, one or
more of the taps, as necessary, being opened.
Drawing (No. 2), Figures 4, 5, and 6, represent a retort oven for that
part of our Invention which we designate the retort generating process.
The said retorts are fixed, and when used in conjunction with what we
have designated our liquid process, they are fixed in a line with.such
liquid process. They are connected to the main pipes (K) and (O),
Drawing No. 1, before described, and are also connected at will.to our
trunnion ladle or to the metal receiver, which latter is herein-after
described. These retorts are shewn in Drawing No. 6, and are made of
our special or any other suitable refractory material. They are set up
in brickwork by any of the well known plans for setting retorts, with a
furnace underneath. At the front end of the retort is an inlet at its top,
through which any of the properties required in the treatment of the
metal may be passed. We apply this part of our Invention as follows :—
We heat the retort by its furnace, and we then place therein a layer
of charcoal, coke, manganese, lime, or chalk, saturated with ordinary
coal tar, and over which we spread a layer of charcoal or coke. We
then sprinkle lightly over these compounds a thin layer of Na Cl or
Na NO, or HK O, or Na H O, and we combine or use them separately, as
the different classes may require. The whole mass being lighted and
fused by a blast through the retort will then generate gases which are
passed into the body of the metal under treatment, and which will effect

page_text: its purification. Figure (4) shews the elevation of the retorts; Figure
(5) shews also the retort in longitudinal section; and (Figure 6) also
shews the plan of the retort; and all these Drawings are drawn to the
scale of inch to the foot. On the front wall of the retort stack a tank
is placed having a communication with the retort by means of a pipe |
with a stop-cock, which cock is worked as may be required, and by its
means a measured quantity of tar filtered through lime to purify it,
which is stored in the tank above, is let into the retort to further assist
in the purification of the metal. This retort generating process may be
used either with the trunnion ladle or with the metal receiver, herein-
after described, or in the dam of our vacuum or exhaust furnace,
herein-after described.
Drawing No. (3) is our metal receiver employed for the purification,
refining, and conversion of metal and adapted for large quantities up to
50 tons in weight.
]
Figure (1) is the front elevation thereof showing the charging aperture
with its cover and its T screw cross head, also its two tapping holes and
guard slide plates and chains along with its main supply pipes for the
entrance of what we have designated the great forces or the other gaseous
compounds necessary for purification. It also shews the valves and valve 2
gear, the screw gear for the two outlet valves, and the relief or safety
valves with their pipes; also the sight hole pyrometer and pressure
gauge, and finally it shows the descending pipes from a chamber similar
to that described on the trunnion ladle. The descending pipes and
chambers are shewn by dotted lines.
Figure (2) represents a section of Figure (1) at the centre line A, A.
Letter B both in the elevation and in the section shows a strong
wrought-iron plate tube having one flat side, (F) being the sole plate on
which it rests on a brick or stone foundation (K). Rivetted to this sole
plate are two upright web plates (V) properly rivetted together by angle 3
irons as shewn. The ends of the said tube are of wrought iron properly
rivetted to angle irons. At their ends are formed the slagging holes (S)
having proper doors with T set up screws running parallel nearly the
whole length of the top; a strong wrought-iron box cover (N) is rivetted
thereto and is the receptacle into which all the requisite compounds pass 3
which are necessary for treating the metal, and from thence by and through
the descending pipes into the metal. The relief valves and pipes fixed
in the top of the box cover are marked (P). The blow-off outlets are

page_text: marked (H) and the valves which control the outlet flue and the wheel
gear which work them are marked (M). The main pipe _ marked (K) is
the conduct pipe of the atmospheric air or O or C O. The pipe (O) is the
conduct pipe for the forces or the compounds which are conveyed to the
box cover (N) by the junctions (6) having valves between (a) which are
worked by the gear (p). The cast-iron brackets which carry the pipes
are marked (n) the inlet (through which the metal is run and which
may be placed at the most convenient part of the metal receiver near to
the furnace) with its cover and set up T cross head screw are marked (d),
the holes for tapping the metal receiver (so as to let out the metal) are
marked (h). The sight hole of the metal receiver is a tube having a
thick piece of glass let into it marked (i). The pyrometer is marked (1)
and the pressure gauge is marked (/). The descending pipes to the
metal, the lining of the receiver itself, and all the other parts in contact
with fire are made of our special refractory or other suitable material
marked Q. This completes the description of our metal purifying,
refining, and converting metal receiver, but we do not bind ourselves
to any size of metal receiver as it may be made either smaller or
larger.
We next proceed to describe in detail our vacuum or exhaust furnace
for the smelting of the metal from the ore, or from the melting of the
metal from pig or scrap iron, or of any other mixture of ores or of ores
and metal combined. This furnace is shewn on Drawings (No. 5) and
(No. 5). In the sides of the dam or hearth of the furnace and up the
side walls thereof air holes are formed and pipes are carried up to pass
air or O, or C, H, to the sloping hearths, and holes for rabbling the
charge of the furnace are formed, as shewn in Drawing (No. 5), which
also represents an elevation and plan which is in part a section of the
above described vacuum or exhaust furnace. Figure (1) is the elevation.
The brick piers and the arches which carry the hearths are marked (D).
The hearths shewn by dotted lines are marked (B). The arch above into
which the ore or other material to be treated is shot from the platform
is marked (K). The domed dam or receiver into which the metal runs
from the hearths above is marked (N). The relief valve over the dam is
marked (L). The descending flue is marked (X). Figure (2) of this
Drawing shews the plan and part thereof in section. This plan is drawn
to the scale of a quarter of an inch to a foot. Drawing (5*) is a detail of
Drawing (No. 5) showing the elevation of the vacuum or exhaust furnace,

page_text: '
any H that may be in the metal. If the metal however is intended to
be converted into extra fine steel we should prefer to take it into our
trunnion ladles, and further refine it therein as the smaller mass will be
more under command.
Another part of our Invention is our heating, annealing, and balling
retort oven furnace. The ovens are constructed, as shewn in Drawing
(No. 6), of iron plates, wrought or cast, and arc lined with our or other
suitable refractory material. The said plates are either bolted or rivetted
together, and are either square or octagonal in shape, and may be of any
suitable size. These plates are bolted on to upright pillars, and are
'bolted on to a sole plate which is fixed on brickwork or masonry. A
fire-grate is formed to heat the furnace if and when necessary. At
the edge of the furnace top a strong cast-iron pipe is fixed, leading
from furnace to furnace, into which C₂ H. [is admitted, or any of our
other gaseous compounds; descending from this pipe are two or more
pipes leading into each furnace. At the upper part of these pipes stop
valves are fixed to regulate the supply, and below these valves the pipes
are perforated with holes, over which a slip collar slides to regulate the
supply of air necessary to form combustion when used with C, Hɩ as
herein-before mentioned. O or CO may be supplied through these
pipes.
Drawing (No. 6), Figure (1), represents an elevation of the said retort
oven furnace. The pillars which carry the plates of the furnace are
marked (P), and the sole plate to carry them is marked (a). The
bottom to which the side plates are bolted to the said pillar is marked (R)
and the side plates of the furnace are marked (D). The sliding door is
lettered (K). The pipe and valve and burners to supply the furnaces
with gases are lettered B, and the dotted lines (0) shew the line of
tho flame of the furnace; (Figure 2) represents the plan of the said
furnace shewing the grate surface and the refractory material; and
(Figure 3) represents a section of the furnace and the outlet flue (A)
with its supply pipe and burner (B). This Drawing is drawn to a scale
of of an inch to the foot.
Drawing (No. 7) which is drawn to a scale of 1 inch to a foot represents
our puddling furnace which is constructed in the same manner as the
heating furnace, except that it has a movable truck ladle bottom which
can be lifted up and luted by its cone top to the underneath part of the

page_text: furnace either by hydraulic ram or by wheel or screw gear; Figure (1)
is the elevation of the said puddling furnace; Figure (2) is a sectional
plan of the same; and Figure (3) is another section of it. The melted
metal is taken into the said ladle bottom, and may be taken in quantities
of about one ton, and is there, if necessary, puddled by the aid of
mechanical puddlers, as shewn in Figures (4), (5), and (6). These
mechanical puddlers are made of an upright pillar fixed to a shaft by a
clutch. The shaft is moved backwards and forwards by levers keyed
thereon, and having a slot therein which works on a crank pin moved
by a power. On the upper part of the pillar is a cup or ball to which
the rabble is fixed, which is worked by the pillar moving to and fro.
When puddled, or if the metal is pure enough without puddling, the
balling is effected in this furnace.
We provide our specially prepared refractory material either in special
moulds, blocks, or bricks, for the use of all our apparatus or for adapta- 1
tion to any other furnace where great heat comes into contact therewith,
and we make it out of the following materials in or about the proportions
following, viz.:-We form a conglomerate composed of 80 to 90 per
cent. of silica, 5 to 10 per cent. of plumbago, and 5 to 10 per cent. of
asbestos, and we ultimately mix and bind them together with blood. a
This conglomerate is then slowly dried, baked, and annealed. For a
lower class of refractory material we use only silica as pure as possible,
which we cement together by alumina, which contains a large per-centage
of oxide of iron.
By our Invention we can at will, by the use of one or more or all of
our Inventions, produce either ordinary pig iron, refined pig iron,
charcoal pig iron, plate iron, refined plate iron, steel, refined steel, cast
steel, mild steel, hard steel, or wrought iron.
We are aware that various processes have been used and also specified

page_text: But what we do claim is,-
1. The production, purification, and refining of iron in the manner
and by the means herein-before described, and any merely colourable
imitation thereof.
2. The process herein-before called our great force process, when used
in the manner, by the means, and for the purposes herein-before
described, and any merely colourable imitation thereof.
3. The apparatus herein-before described to carry out our great
force process, and any merely colorable imitation thereof.
4. The process herein-before called our liquid process, when used in
the manner, by the means, and for the purposes herein-before described,
and any merely colourable imitation thereof.
5. The apparatus herein-before described to carry out our liquid
process, and any merely colourable imitation thereof.
6. The process herein-before called our retort generating process, when
used in the manner, by the means, and for the purposes herein-before
described, and any merely colourable imitation thereof.
7. The apparatus herein-before described to carry out our retort,
generating process, and any merely colourable imitation thereof.
8. The refining of metal and manufacture of steel in our trunnion
ladle when carried on in the manner and by the means herein-before
described, and any merely colourable imitation thereof.
9. The apparatus herein-before described and called our trunnion
ladle, and any merely colourable imitation thereof.
10. The refining of metal and manufacture of steel in our metal
receiver when carried on in the manner and by the means herein-before
described, and any merely colourable imitation thereof.
11. The apparatus herein-before described and called our metal
receiver, and any merely colourable imitation thereof.
12. The pipe or pipes descending into the metal herein-before described
when used in the manner and for the purpose herein-before described, and
any merely colourable imitation thereof.

page_text: 18. The smelting and melting of ore and iron in the manner herein-
before described by means of our vacuum or exhaust furnace, and any
merely colourable imitation thereof.
14. The furnace herein-before described and called our vacuum or
exhaust furnace when used as herein-before described only for the 5
smelting and melting of ore and iron, and any merely colourable
imitation thereof.
15. The smelting and melting of ore and iron and the purification
thereof, as well as the manufacture of steel, in the manner herein-before
described by means of our vacuum or exhaust furnace when combined 10
with the chamber and descending pipes as herein-before described, and
any merely colourable imitation thereof.
16. The furnace herein-before described and called our vacuum or
exhaust furnace when used as herein-before described, not only for the
smelting and melting of ore and iron, but also for the purification 1
thereof, as well as for the manufacture of steel, and any merely colour-
able imitation thereof.
17. The combination herein-before set forth of our great force process
either with our trunnion ladle or our metal receiver, or our vacuum or
exhaust furnace, and any merely colourable imitation thereof.
18. The combination herein-before set forth of our liquid process
(with or without the retort oven used as a heater) either with our
trunnion ladle or our metal receiver, or our vacuum or exhaust furnace,
and any merely colourable imitation thereof.
20
19. The combination herein-before set forth of our retort generating 2
process either with our trunnion ladle or our metal receiver, or our
vacuum or exhaust furnace, and any merely colourable imitation
thereof.
20. The apparatus herein-before called our heating, annealing, and
balling retort oven furnace when used in the manner and for the 3
purpose herein-before described, and any merely colourable imitation
thereof.
21. The apparatus herein-before called our puddling furnace when
used in the manner and for the purpose herein-before described, and any
1.1

page_text: 22. The refractory materials composed substantially as herein-before
described.
23. The modes herein-before described of using gaseous compounds as
purifiers, and any merely colourable imitation thereof.
24. The modes herein-before described of using gaseous compounds
for heating purposes, and any merely colourable imitation thereof.
In witness whereof, we, the said Samuel Richard Smyth and Joseph
Simpson, have hereunto set our hands and seals, this Seventh day
of May, in the year of our Lord One thousand eight hundred and
seventy-five.
SAMUEL RICHARD SMYTH. (L.S.)
JOSEPH SIMPSON.
(L.S.)