Improved Refuse Destructor.
Year: 1895

page_text: Date of Application, 12th June, 1895-Accepted, 13th July, 1895
Improved Refuse Destructor.
I WALTER CHAMBERS of 24 Ulster Chamber, Belfast in the County of Antrim
Engineer, do hereby declare the nature of this invention and in what manner
the same is to be performed, to be particularly described and ascertained in and
by the following statement :-
In carrying out this invention in its application to the destruction of towns
refuse by heat I construct a cell or furnace having a sloping hearth, also a grating
for gravitation of moisture, and a series of firebars upon which are burnt the
refuse offal and excreta. The hearth grating and firebars have an inclination
downwards and towards a pocket for reception of the clinker and of such ashes
and dust as do not gravitate between the firebars into the ashpit, a suitable vehicle
being placed in such pocket so as to facilitate the removal of clinker and ashes.
Each cell is provided with several doors and openings to facilitate the working
operations, also with pipes and valves to regulate the admission of air necessary to
maintain combustion of the fuel. At one end and inside each furnace is placed a
substantial diaphragm upon which may be placed cans and bulky articles for the
destruction, by heat, of any organic matter as well as the recovery of tin and
spelter that they may contain.
Between such diaphragm and the fuel a space is left through which all gases
fumes and vapours must necessarily pass to the outlet for waste gases which is
placed below the diaphragm. The position of this diaphragm in its relation to
the fuel is such that it acts as a deflector, causing the current of gases and vapours
to pass downwards and to either impinge upon, or pass through, the mass of hot fuel
so as to assist in their purification by heat; and to further this object and to aid
in the complete combustion of unburnt gases a separate inlet for air is placed at or
near to the diaphragm.
I may provide an enclosed space between adjacent cells having an opening for
the passage of waste gases such space being for the reception and desiccation of
animal matter and offal and for their recovery as manure. A portion of this space
may be sub-divided for the collection of dust and to serve as a chimney-base.
In adapting the cells in series for utilization of the, resulting heat they may be
placed end to end and separated by a space enclosing a suitable steam generator
and connected to the chimney by a flue.
The accompanying sheets of drawings are intended to illustrate my said invention
and Figures 1 and 2 Sheet 1 are sectional side and end elevations and Figure 3
Sheet 2 a plan of the destructor cells as arranged in series.
The same numbers of reference indicate corresponding details throughout.
The action of the destructor is as follows, The refuse being admitted at the
inlet 1 falls upon the drying hearth 2 and reaches the grating 3, and fire-bars 4 the
moisture and ashes falling into the ashpit 5, into which a current of air is admitted
by the inlet 6 for combustion of the fuel. The inclined grate may if preferred be
slightly raised at the bottom end for retention of the fuel on the bars. The gases,
vapours, and fumes arising from the refuse collect in the space 7, and pass out
through the narrow space formed between the edge of diaphragm 8 and the surface
of the hot fuel resting upon the lower part of the grate, necessarily impinging upon
or passing directly over said hot fuel according to the variation in thickness of the
latter unless as occasionally may happen the hot fuel is so deep as to come in
contact with diaphragm and thus completely close up the aperture, when the

page_text: gases would necessarily transude the hot fuel before issuing to the outlet for waste
gases 11 which is placed below the diaphragm. The object of such arrangement
is to subject the stream of issuing gases and fumes to the purifying action of
direct heat so as to render them innoxious, and, as a means to assist in this process
by maintaining a high temperature of the fuel and to complete the combustion of
unburnt combustible gases, a separate inlet for air (10) is provided.
The various opening and doors, not numbered, for facilitating working operations
are also shown on the drawings.
In arranging the cells in series, a drying room '12 Figure 3, Sheet 2, and a dust
box 13 may be constructed between adjacent cells, which are placed end to end so
as to enclose a space containing a suitable steam generator 14 to utilize the
resultant heat.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said inveu-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed I declare that what [
claim is :-
:-
1. The method of constructing refuse destructors having a diaphragm to deflect
the current of outgoing gases upon or through the hot fuel substantially as
hereinbefore described and as shown by the accompanying drawings.
2. The method of constructing refuse destructors having a contracted space for
the outgoing gases to pass downwards to or through the hot fuel with a separate air
supply to same substantially as described.
3. The method of constructing refuse destructors having the cells in series with
drying rooms, dust collectors and steam generator arranged substantially as described
and for the purpose herein before set forth.
4. The method of constructing refuse destructors combining the use of a
diaphragm to deflect the outgoing gases through a narrow aperture upon or through
the hot fuel together with a supplementary air supply for the purposes and
substantially in the manner bereinbefore set forth with reference to the
accompanying drawings.
5. The improved refuse destructor herein before described and illustrated by the
accompanying drawings.
Dated this 12th day of June 1895.
STANLEY, POPPLEWELL & Co.,
7 & 8 Southampton Buildings, W.C., Agents.