IMPROVEMENTS IN HYDROCARBON FURNACES
Year: 1882

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to James Mundell and William James Gordon both of the
city and county of Philadelphia in the state of Pennsylvania and United
State of America "IMPROVEMENTS IN HYDROCARBON FURNACES
"
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION filed by the said James Mundell and William
James Gordon at the Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the
22nd August 1882.
JAMES MUNDELL, and WILLIAM JAMES GORDON, both of the City and County
of Philadelphia in the State of Pennsylvania, and the United States of America.
IMPROVEMENTS ON HYDRO-CARBON FURNACES."
(5
Our invention relates to that class of furnace in which a jet of liquid hydro-
carbon is injected into the furnace as spray or vapor by steam for use as fuel.
Our improvements consist in means for injecting the hydro-carbon spray into
the furnace comprehending an opening in the furnace wall, provided with top and
bottom adjustable spray plates projecting within the furnace and an ejector :
means for spreading and distributing the flaine of the injected vapor in the com-
bustion chamber; means for preventing the flame from backing against the ejector
and regulating the quantity of flame, and in the construction of the furnace
whereby it may be adapted for the use of ordinary carbonaceous fuel all of which
will be hereinafter particularly described and embraced in specific claims.
While our improvements are particularly designed for use with a steam boiler
furnace and so hereinafter described it is obvious that by making the necessary
work shop changes they may be applied as means for producing combustion of
hydro-carbons in any suitable furnace used for any purpose. In the accompanying
drawings:-
Fig 1 represents a view in perspective of a steam boiler furnace, embracing our
invention
Fig 2 a vertical cross section of the furnace, the arrows showing the jet from the
spray-plates or shutters in connection with means for receiving spreading and
distributing the flame within the furnace.

page_text: Fig 3, a vertical cross section of the furnace, as adapted for ordinary carbon-
aceous fuel the flame receiving and distributing abutment and its bed plate
being removed and the spray-plates or shutters closing the furnace openings of
the vaporizer.
Fig 4 a longitudinal section of the ejector and vaporizer.
Fig 5 a cross section of the same.
Fig 6 the ejector forming tube or point in elevation; and
Fig 7 is a perspective of the flame receiving and distributing abutment, the bed-
plate whereof forms the closed bottom of the furnace.
In these drawings A is an ordinary steam boiler, and B, the furnace or fire-box.
At one or preferably at both sides of the fire-box are openings C in its walls,
through which liquid hydro-carbon and steam are injected in spray, or vapor into
the combustion-chamber or fire box B from the vaporizing apparatus against a
refracting abutment and through which opening air is entrained as an aid to
combustion. Projecting inwardly and attached to the furnace wall at the top and
bottom, of said openings to form a directing mouth are plates or shutters D, D,
adapted to be operated to converge or diverge to widen or narrow the mouth
between which passes the jet of liquid fuel, spraying into vapor and flame as it is
forced through the mouth into the combustion chamber and tubes of the boiler.
The function of these plates or shutters, are to prevent by their convergence to a
narrow mouth or exit the backing of the flame out of said wall openings and
against the orifice of the vaporizer which projects into or in proximity to the
opening C in the furnace and to converge or diverge to make the throat narrower
or wider in different degrees or to close the mouth altogether as hereinafter
described. Such a furnace when provided with a closed bottom, a suitable flame
receiving and distributing abutment or surface and a door ignition opening, com-
prehends our invention broadly in connection with suitable vaporizing apparatus
or device. A jet of steam to atomize a jet of the liquid and to inject the spray or
vapor into the furnace is supplied as shown from the boiler, but such steam supply
may be from a pump or engine. The vaporizing apparatus shown is constructed
arranged and supported in the following manner.
Contiguous to the jet receiving opening C and projecting from the outside of the
furnace on both sides (or one side in some cases) are brackets or projections a, a,
which support couplings b, b, constituting the ejector and vaporizing device
proper. Within these couplings are tapped or otherwise connected, the oil supply
pipe, d and the steam supply pipe, c, and a spray-nozzle f, which may project
within or in proximity to the furnace opening C, as will be presently described.
The steam branch pipes e rise vertically and are suitably connected with couplings, g
which are connected with horizontal pipes h having communication with the steam
dome E of boiler by a coupling, i provided with a regulating cock. The branch
oil pipes, & connect in a similar manner with the main oil-pipe, j, which receives
its supply of oil from a suitably elevated tank or reservoir. A cock / admits steam
from the boiler to the steam pipe and shuts off or regulates the quantity to the
steam pipe as may be desired
There are also suitable cocks, m n to regulate the flow of steam and oil from the
main or supply pipes above described into their branch pipes, of one or more
vaporizing devices, the engineer manipulating them to the proper adjustment
required for the flow in his discretion to one or a series of vaporizing devices all
having the same relation to the furnace opening. There should also be a cut off
cock (not shown) on the main oil supply pipe.
The oil branch pipe, d terminates in an ejector tube or point, which passes into
and through the coupling b and extends to or nearly to the end of the spraying
nozzle, f, as shown in figs, 5, 6 & 7 which encloses the ejector tube, or point, r
leaving a space around it which communicates with the vertical steam pipe e, and
which space forms the ejector orifice for the steam jet; while the tube, r tapers to
its point and forms the ejector for the oil. The ejector tube is preferably a
separate section screwed into the oil pipe section, and the latter is preferably

page_text: screwed into the coupling, b so that its end will leave uncovered the steam
communication of the spraying-nozzle. While this construction is well adapted
for the purposee yet it may be varied.
But of whatever construction and joining of these parts it is important that the
oil ejector section shall maintain a perfectly central relation to the steam spraying
orifice in order that the steam shall issue in a hollow column enveloping the jet, of
oil and both be projected in a manner to produce perfect atomization of the ejector
point and at a point where both the steam and the oil will be mixed with air and
projected into the furnace. For this purpose the oil ejector tube is formed with
two or more longitudinal surface edges which form bearings upon the inner
walls of the spraying section, and thus maintain a central position in the steam
way while giving free access for the steam all around the sides of the ejector tube
so it will issue with equal body and force upon the jet of oil producing a perfect
admixture of both with air, which will thereby be completely vaporized at the
point of entrance into the furnace producing a white and uniform heat in every
point of the furnace by reason of the arrest or interruption of the vapor causing
its spreading and distribution so that the flame will rise and pass through the
tubes of the boiler or against the walls to be heated. Access may be had to the
orifice of the oil ejector tube for the purpose of cleaning it and keeping it free
from clogging by means of a screw plug e screwed into the oil pipe, j, at a point
opposite its junction with the branch oil pipe, d and in line with the oil ejector
tube, so that by removing said screw-plug and inserting a wire into the pipes it
may be extended into and through the oil ejector tube. This facility for cleaning
the parts liable to clog renders it unnecessary to separate the parts of the
vaporizing apparatus or device. The abutment F which we have referred to as
receiving and distributing the projected flame is arranged centrally within the
furnace chamber upon a suitable bed or slabs of fire-brick asbestos, or other
suitable material. The abutment is made of similar material with its sides concave
and arranged in the direction of the length of the furnace or. boiler, so as to
receive the flame from both sides of the furnace and interrupting its forcible
projection cause it to spread and fill the chamber alike at every point from one or
both sides of the abutment. The bed or slabs F' of the abutment is suitably
seated upon an iron-bed-plate Fe in the example shown is supported upon the
usual furnace grate G, and forms a closed bottom for the furnace. This bed plate
is provided with hooks and is otherwise adapted to be drawn out of the furnace
to uncover the grate for use as an ordinary coal furnace in which case the openings
in the furnace walls are closed by the plates or shutters D, D, the vaporizing
device not being used. The abutment and the slabs may be suitably joined to
facilitate their removal and replacement by others and the slabs may be guttered or
concaved on their upper surfaces from end to end or in lines corresponding with
the ejector or ejectors, so as to receive the impingement of the flame and give it the
proper direction
This capacity for converting a hydro-carbon furnace into an ordinary fuel
furnace is important in giving the advantage for general use and especially in
giving the advantage for using ordinary fuel with a grate for raising steam at the
commencement. The mouth forming plates or shutters D D are operated from
outside by pintle rods, having their bearings in clamps 8 8 bolted to the furnace
wall and when said plates are brought to the proper adjustment or closed as the
case may be said screw bolts are driven home to force the clamps against the
pintles and thus hold the plates in the desired position of adjustment but any
suitable clamping device might be used. It may be in some cases important to
adjust the shutters both upward or both downward to give direction to the spray
or vapor at its entrance into the furnace and this capacity for adjustment and
changing the position of the spray plates gives many advantages in adapting their
use for different forms of furnaces. The number and location of the openings in
the furnace will be governed by the form and character of the furnace; nor is the
form of the openings shown; nor having the shutters of a single plate controlling

page_text: points in these matters, as the openings may be any suitable form and the shutters
in sections adapted for use and adjustment with separate and independent openings
and ejectors in the same line so also the shutters may be corrugated to prevent
their warping; and they may be made of fire-brick slabs or of any suitable
material and hung in any suitable manner, so long as they are adapted for the
functions and purposes stated and are each provided with means whereby one may
be adjusted and held independent of the other and in co-operation with it.
Preferably the shutters are hung upon rods on the outer wall of the furnace and
they are of a width to project a short distance beyond the inner walls of the
furnace and when closed their inner edges are joined so as to form a V in cross-
section and a close joint. When the furnace is overcharged with flame and
becomes too hot the flame seeks an exit through the openings C, but our
construction of protecting plates or shutters checks the tendency and guards the
ejector from being unduly heated by or from contact with the flames and by
narrowing the mouth formed between the approaching ends of the plates this
backing out of the flame is checked. When the jets are in action the mouth is
always however to be kept sufficiently wide to permit the exit of the spray into the
combustion chamber in its course from the ejector. When a high pressure of
steam is desired (or in the beginning of combustion) full jets of oil and steam are
fed through the mouth somewhat widened and vice-versa for a low pressure.
The smoke stack serves as a vent to the boiler flues, but no smoke however is
thrown off as there is an absolute combustion of the gases. An auxiliary boiler
may be used to supply steam for the jet at the beginning; or the abutment
supporting bed-plate may be drawn out of the furnace, so as to use the grate for a
coal fire to raise steam, and when the requisite amount of steam is generated in the
boiler rake out the fire; put in the bed-plate" with its abutment, open the shutter-
plates turn on the cocks as described, and ignite the sprayed-vapor, when the
steam in the boiler will continue the flow of jets. Or where another boiler is near
steam may be injected as the spraying jet by suitable hose connections with the
ejector. It is obvious that the steam pipes may be compactly arranged upon the
boiler and that the oil supply-pipe or pipes may be connected with the ejector or
ejectors in any suitable manner. Nor do we confine ourselves to the particular
form and construction of the abutment shown.
We claim. 1st In a hydro-carbon furnace, the combination with a vaporizing
apparatus and the fire box of wall openings and inwardly projecting adjustable
shutters or plates substantially as and for the purpose set forth. 2nd The combi-
nation in a hydro-carbon furnace of a vaporizing apparatus, a fire-box having wall
openings and inwardly projecting shutters or plates, with means whereby said
shutters or plates are adjusted in relation to each other and held in position when
set substantially as described for the purpose specified. 3rd The combination in a
hydro-carbon furnace, of a vaporizing apparatus a fire box having wall openings
and inwardly projecting shutters or plates with the pintle-rods and the clamps
therefor substantially as described for the purpose specified. 4th In combination
the combustion chamber provided with narrow horizontal openings in its opposite
walls, hinged plates or shutters for said openings and end doors the boiler the pipes
he connected with the steam chamber thereof the pipes j, and, d the couplings i i
and the spraying ejector carried by said couplings, all constructed and arranged
substantially as described for the purpose specified. 5th In a hydro-carbon
furnace the combination with the wall openings C provided with shutters or plates
adapted to be closed as set forth, a vaporizing apparatus and the grate of the
furnace, of a removable bed plate F2 whereby the furnace may be converted for
the burning of ordinary carbonaceous fuel substantially as described. 6th In a
hydro-carbon furnace the combination with the wall openings C provided with
shutters or plates D D adapted to be adjusted nearer to or further from each other,
of a removable abutment and bed-plate arranged upon the grate bottom of the
furnace substantially as described for the purpose specified. 7th In a hydro-carbon
furnace the combination with the wall openings, and their inwardly projecting

page_text: shutters or plates D D of a bed-plate F having the curving abutment for the
purpose set forth. 8th The nozzle of the oil ejector having surface edges in
combination with a steam spraying tube substantially as described for the purpose.
specified. 9th The steam spraying tube and the oil ejector having their orifices
at or near the same point, one within the other in combination with the fire-box
having wall openings and the adjustable spray directing plates or shutters sub-
stantially as herein set forth. 10th In a hydro-carbon furnace provided with a
grate and a removable grate closing plate or bottom in combination with a
vaporizing apparatus substantially as described for the purpose specified. 11th The
combination in a hydro-carbon furnace of a combustion chamber provided with
narrow horizontal openings in its opposite walls and end doors with an abutment
arranged upon the grate and having its opposite sides concave, the vaporizing
ejectors and the hinged plates substantially as described for the purpose specified.
12th The fire-box of a hydro-carbon furnace for steam boilers having opposite wall
openings a centrally arranged abutment and plates or shutters for said wall
openings in combination with one or more steam spraying orifices connected with
the dome of said boiler and one or more oil ejectors connected with the same
supply and arranged in relation to the steam spraying orifice or orifices sub-
stantially as described, for the purpose specified.
In witness whereof we the said James Mundell and William Jamss Gordon
hereto affix our hands and seals this 1st day of August In the Year of Our
Lord, One Thousand Eight hundred and Eighty two.
JAMES MUNDELL
(L.S.)
WILLIAM. JAMES. GORDON (L.S.)