FURNACES
Year: 1883

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Wm. Lyon MoNair at the
Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 27th November 1883.
WM LYON MCNAIR, of Golden, Jefferson County, Colorado, U.S.A.
BERATORY GAS FURNACES,"
"REVER-
My invention relates to reverberatory gas furnaces and it consists.-
First: In the combination of suitable muffles, in which the fuel is placed, with
an inclined plane, in front of the grate, and upon which the fuel is banked for the
purpose of preventing the escape of the volatile matter in the fuel without first
passing through the mass of heated coke, so as to decompose its moisture and
regenerate the gas.
Second: In the combination of the muffles and the inclined plane upon which
the coke is banked, with suitable air flues, for the purpose of conducting air or
steam through the coke for the purpose of reducing the coke to carbonic oxide.
Third: In muffles which are built in sections, or of brick, and then thoroughly
washed over with any glazing compound, so that when heated they form a solid
body.
'
• Fourth: The combination of the hearth with a water chamber which is placed
under it for the purpose of preventing the hearth from being injured by the heat.
Fifth: In the arrangement and combination of air flues and passages which will
be more fully described hereinafter.
Figure 1 is a plan view of my furnace, with the top removed.
Figure 2 is a vertical longitudinal section of the furnace.
.
Figures 3 and 4 are vertical cross sections of the furnace, taken upon the
lines X-X and Y-Y.
Figure 5 is a side elevation of the furnace.
Figure 6 is a side elevation of the opposite side of the furnace, the flues being
shown in section.
Figure 7 is a view of the rear end of the furnace.

page_text: In front of the furnace are placed-a suitable number of muffles A, which are
built in sections, or of brick, and into which the fuel is charged-before it is fed
to the grate C. These muffles are here shown as placed at an angle, but, if
desired, they may be arranged horizontally, or at any angle—that may be preferred,
and may either be placed in the relation to each other shown in Figure 3, or any
other relation that may be preferred. As soon as the muffles become heated from
the fire; by the waste products of combustion from the grate C, the fuel is charged
into them through the hoppers L, and the fuel in the muffles soon becomes
thoroughly distilled. The coke is then shoved forward, upon the inclined plane B,
and the grate C, until it is banked above the inner end of the upper muffles.
The mass of coke on the inclined plane B, and the grate C, is kept at a white
heat. All of the volatile matter of the fuel is distilled out in the muffles A, and
instead of being allowed to escape freely into the furnace, it is made to pass through
the heated mass of coke on the incline B, and the grate C, where the moisture in
the volatile production is decomposed and converted into a fixed gas.
Through the side of the wall of the furnace is made an opening B', which can be
controlled by means of a suitable slide. Through this opening B¹, the air passes
into the chamber which extends across under the lower end of the inclined plane B,
and from which chamber .the air escapes through the flues A¹, shown in Figures 1
and 2, through the body of the coke. Either air or steam may be passed into the
chamber and through the flues A¹, under the mass of heated coke, so as to convert
the coke into carbonic oxide and hydrogen. The hoppers L, have small openings N¹,
made through them, so that air or steam can be passed through them into the
heated muffles, as may be desired, for the purpose of dissolving the coke into
carbonic oxide and decomposing the steam, where a fuel is used containing but a
small portion of volatile matter; such as anthracite coal. These hoppers L; may
either be of the construction here shown, or any other that may be preferred.
The ash-pit H, under the grate C, is provided with doors at one end, as shown
in Figure 5, and these doors are provided with suitable registers so as to regulate
the draft. The fire in the first instance, is made through the stocking hole S, in
the usual manner.
The hearth D, which is separated from the grate by the usual bridge wall, has a
water chamber J, placed under or formed in it, and through which water is made
to circulate in any suitable manner.
The products of combustion pass upward, from the rear end of the hearth,
through the flue G, down through the flue M, into the flue E, forward to the front
end of the furnace, through the flue N, into the chamber O, up through the checkered
brick work J¹, around the muffles A, down through the brick work J", into the
chamber I, and thence on out through the flue K, to the stack, which may be
located at any convenient point. The brick work J¹, J¹¹, absorbs a large amount
of the waste heat, and retains it for the purpose of keeping the muffles hot, so as to
thoroughly distill all of the volatile matter contained in the fuel. In the flues, at
suitable points, are placed the pits Q, and in the flue E, are placed the walls or
other suitable obstructions I', which tend to cause eddies in the escaping products
of combustion, and thus cause them to deposit the fine particles of precious ores
which are being carried off. Where the precious metals are being sinelted, large
portions of the metal are carried off by the waste products of combustion, and it is
for the purpose of catching these particles that these pits and walls are used.
Passing horizontally through the flue E, are a suitable number of muffles F,
which are perforated at their inner ends, so as to communicate with the air flues D¹,
and which have a series of perforations made through the doors which are applied
to their outer ends. These muffles are intended to receive charges of ore, for the
purpose of oxidizing or deoxidizing them. When it is intended to deoxidize iron
ores, for the purpose of making blooms, or metallic sponge for the open hearth steel
process, the pulverized ore is mixed with any carbonaceous material, or deoxidizing
agent, and charged into the muffles, and the doors are then closed. When the
charge is deoxidized it is withdrawn and charged into the hearth D, where it is

page_text: heated to the welding point. The charge is then withdrawn from the hearth, and
placed under the hammer and converted into a bloom, or melted for steel, as may
be desired. Should it be desired to oxidize the ore, the charge is placed in the
muffles, and currents of air are allowed to pass through them, and allowed to
escape through the flue D¹, to the furnace. Through the side of the furnace and
passing through the bridge wall, is the flue C, which connects at its inner end
with the flue D¹, as shown in Figure 1. This flue D¹, is made all around the flue E,
and the air in the flue D¹, is heated not only while passing through the bridge
wall, but while in the flue D¹, by the waste products of combustion. The heated'
air passes from the flue D', through the short horizontal flue E', into the vertical
flue F, shown in Figure 4, and thence into the flue G, over the top of the grate,
and then passes through the ports L, so as to mingle with the gases as they pass
over the bridge wall. This heated air furnishes oxygen to the gases for the purpose
of causing a perfect combustion and intense heat upon the hearth D. Also passing
through the rear end of the furnace into the flue M, are a series of ports R, through
which the air passes, for the purpose of mingling with the products of combustion,
so as to cause an intense heat in the flue E, and thus heat the muffles F. These
ports R, and the short flues E¹, are provided with pipes, which are perforated at
their inner ends, so that the air will become more thoroughly heated in passing
through the pipes, and will be sprayed or discharged in fine particles. Also made
through the top of the brick work, over the flue E, is an air flue H, which has its
air supply controlled by a valve M", as shown in Figure 6. When it is desired to
have but a low heat in the hearth D, and an intense heat in the flue E, this
valve M, will be closed, so as to shut off the supply of air to the flue H, and the
opening C, shown in Figure 5, will be also closed. No air will then be fed to
the gases as they pass over the bridge wall, and hence only a reducing or deoxidizing
flame is produced in the hearth D. A carbonic oxide flame is the result, giving
but a low temperature in the hearth, while intense heat. is produced in the fiue.
As the products of combustion leave the flue G, they are met by the currents of air.
through the flues R, and E¹, where they are turned to carbonic acid.
The muffles are built like ordinary brick work, and then before the enclosing
walls are built around them, they are washed with a coat of red lead, mixed with
either water or oil. This red lead penetrates the pores of the bricks, and when
heat is applied a small portion of the surface of the bricks melts, and mingles with
the lead. This slag runs into the joints, and makes them perfectly gas and air
tight. Salt and clay may be used for the same purpose.

page_text: SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed
by the said Wm. Lyon McNair in the Patent Office on the 27th May 1884.
WM LYON M*NAIR, of Golden, Jefferson County, Colorado, U.S.A.
BERATORY GAS FURNACES"
"REVER-
My invention relates to an improvement in reverberatory gas furnaces and it
consists
First: In the combination of suitable muffles, in which the fuel is placed, with
an inclined plane, in front of the grate, and upon which the fuel is banked for the
purpose of preventing the escape of the volatile matter in the fuel without first
passing through the mass of heated coke, so as to decompose its moisture and
regenerate the gas.
Second: In the combination of the muffles and the inclined plane upon which
the coke is banked, with suitable air flues, for the purpose of conducting air or
steam through the coke for the purpose of reducing the coke to carbonic oxide.
Third: In muffles which are built in sections, or of brick, and then thoroughly
washed over with any glazing compound, so that when heated they form a solid
body.
Fourth The combination of the hearth with a water chamber which is placed
under it for the purpose of preventing the hearth from being injured by the heat.
Fifth In the arrangement and combination of air flues and passages which will
be more fully described hereinafter.
Figure 1 is a plan view of my furnace, with the top removed. Figure 2 is a
vertical longitudinal section of the furnace. Figures 3 and 4 are vertical cross
sections of the furnace, taken upon the lines X-X and Y Y. Figure 5 is a side
elevation of the furnace. Figure 6 is a side elevation of the opposite side of the
furnace, the flues being shown in section. Figure 7 is a view of the rear end of the
furnace.
In front of the furnace are placed a suitable number of muffles A, which are
built in sections, or of brick, and into which the fuel is charged before it is fed to
the grate C. These muffles are here shown as placed at an angle, but, if desired,
they may be arranged horizontally, or at any angle that may be preferred, and
may either be placed in the relation to each other shown in figure 3, or any other
relation that may be preferred. As soon as the muffles become heated from the
fire, by the waste products of combustion from the grate C, the fuel is charged into
them through the hoppers L, and the fuel in the muffles soon becomes thoroughly
distilled. The coke is then shoved forward upon the inclined plane B, and the
grate C, until it is banked above the inner end of the upper muffles. The mass of
coke on the inclined plane B, and the grate C, is kept at a white heat. All of the
volatile matter of the fuel is distilled out in the muffles A, and instead of being
allowed to escape freely into the furnace, it is made to pass through the heated
mass of coke on the incline B, and the grate C, where the moisture in the volatile
production is decomposed and converted into a fixed gas.
Through the side of the wall of the furnace is made an opening B¹, which can
be controlled by means of a suitable slide. Through this opening B', the air passes
into the chamber which extends across under the lower end of the inclined plane B,
and from which chamber the air escapes through the flues A¹, shown in figures 1
and 2, through the body of the coke. Either air or steam may be passed into the
chamber and through the flues A¹, under the mass of heated coke, so as to convert
the coke into carbonic oxide and hydrogen. The hoppers L, have small
openings N¹, made through them, so that air or steam can be passed through them
into the heated muffles, as may be desired, for the purpose of dissolving the coke
into carbonic oxide and decomposing the steam, where a fuel is used containing but
a small portion of volatile matter, such as anthracite coal. These hoppers L,
may either be of the construction here shown, or any other that may be preferred.

page_text: Ine asa più, under the grate C, is provided with doors at one end, as shown
in figure 5, and these doors are provided with suitable registers so as to regulate
the draft. The fire, in the first instance, is made through the stoking hole S, in the
usual manner.
The hearth D, which is separated from the grate by the usual bridge wall, has
a water chamber J, placed under or formed in it, and through which water is made
to circulate in any suitable manner.
In smelting oxides in a reverberatory furnace, it is sometimes very difficult to
keep the bottom in the furnace, owing to the basic nature of the charge, and the
dissolving of the silicate of the material composing the bottom. Where water is
kept constantly circulating through the chamber J, the temperature of the material
composing the bottom is kept at a point below which the oxide in the charge will
dissolve them. The products of combustion pass upward, from the rear end of the
hearth, through the flue G, down through the flue M, into the flue E, forward to
the front end of the furnace, through the flue N, into the chamber O, up through
the checkered brick work J1, around the muffles A, down through the brick
work J, into the chamber I, and thence on out through the flue K, to the stack,
which may be located at any convenient point. The brick work J¹, J", absorbs
a large amount of the waste heat, and retains it for the purpose of keeping the
muffles hot, so as to thoroughly distill all of the volatile matter contained in the
fuel. In the flues, at suitable points, are placed the pits Q, and in the flue E, are
placed the walls or other suitable obstructions I', which tend to cause eddies in
the escaping products of combustion, and thus cause them to deposit the fine
particles of precious ores which are being carried off. Where the precious metals
are being smelted, large portions of the metal are carried off by the waste products
of combustion, and it is for the purpose of catching these particles that these pits
and walls are used.
- Passing horizontally through the flue E, are a suitable number of muffles F,
which are perforated at their inner ends so as to communicate with the air flues D¹,
and which have a series of perforations made through the doors which are applied
to their outer ends. These muffles are intended to receive charges of ore, for the
purpose of oxidizing or deoxidizing them. When it is intended to deoxidize iron
ores, for the purpose of making blooms, or metallic sponge for the open hearth
steel process, the pulverized ore is mixed with any carbonaceous material, or
deoxidizing agent, and charged into the muffles, and the doors are then closed.
When the charge is deoxidized it is withdrawn and charged into the hearth D,
where it is heated to the welding point. The charge is then withdrawn from the
hearth, and placed under the hammer and converted into a bloom, or melted for
steel, as may be desired. Should it be desired to oxidize the ore, the charge is
placed in the muffles, and currents of air are allowed to pass through them, and
allowed to escape through the flue D¹, to the furnace. Through the side of the
furnace and passing through the bridge wall, is the flue C, which connects at its
inner end with the flue D¹, as shown in figure 1. This flue D¹, is made all around
the flue E, and the air in the flue D¹, is heated not only while passing through the
bridge wall, but while in the flue D¹, by the waste products of combustion. The
heated air passes from the flue D', through the short horizontal flue E', into the
vertical 8ue F, shown in figure 4, and thence into the flue G¹, over the top of the
grate, and then passes through the ports L¹, so as to mingle with the gases as they
pass over the bridge wall. This heated air furnishes oxygen to the gases for the
purpose of causing a perfect combustion and intense heat upon the hearth D. Also
passing through the rear end of the furnace into the flue M, are a series of ports R,
through which the air passes, for the purpose of mingling with the products of
combustion, so as to cause an intense heat in the flue E, and thus heat the muffles F.
These ports R, and the short flues E¹, are provided with pipes, which are
perforated at their inner-ends, so that the air will become more thoroughly heated
in passing through the pipes, and will be sprayed or discharged in fine particles.
Also made through the top of the brick work, over the flue E, is an air flue H¹,

page_text: which has its air supply controlled by a valve M¹¹, as shown in figure 6: When it is
desired to have but a low heat in the hearth D, and an intense heat in the flue E,
this valve M¹¹, will be closed, so as to shut off the supply of air to the flue H¹,
and the opening C¹, shown in figure 5, will be also closed. No air, will then be
fed to the gases as they pass over the bridge wall, and hence only a reducing or
deoxidizing flame is produced in the hearth D. A carbonic oxide flame is the
result, giving but a low temperature in the hearth, while intense heat is produced
in the flue. As the products of combustion leave the flue G, they are met by the
currents of air through the flues R, and E¹, where they are turned to carbonic
acid.
1
The muffles are built like ordinary brick work, and then before the enclosing
walls are built around them, they are washed with a coat of red lead, mixed with
either water or oil. This red lead penetrates the pores of the bricks, and when
heat is applied a small portion of the surface of the bricks meets, and mingles
with the lead. This slag runs into the joints, and makes them perfectly gas and 1
air tight. Salt and clay may be used for the same purpose. The usual method of
constructing the muffles involves too great_trouble and expense, both in making
them and then burning them afterwards. Even after the baked muffle is placed in
position, if the heat is not uniformly applied, it is apt to break. Where the muffle
is made of brick-work and glazed, as above described, the joints expand, and the 2
glazing becomes elastic under the heat, and expands with them.
Having thus described my invention, I claim:
1. In a furnace, the combination of a series of muffles A, with the plane B,
and a grate C, whereby coke can be banked up in front of the inner ends of the
muffles, for the purpose of causing the volatile matter in the fuel to pass through 2
the heated coke, substantially as shown.
2. In a furnace, the combination of a series of muffles, the plane B, grate C,
and the air ports or flues A¹, through which air or steam may be passed through
the coke as it lays upon the grate, substantially as described.
3. In a furnace, the combination of a series of muffles, the plane B, and the 3
grate C, with the hoppers L, having openings N', through them, through which
steam or air can be passed into the muffles, substantially as set forth.
4. In a furnace, a muffle or series of muffles formed of brick, and then covered
over with a glazing compound, substantially as specified.
5. The combination, in a furnace, of the walls J, placed in the flue E, for the 3
purpose of causing eddies in the escaping products of combustion, substantially as
shown.
6. In a furnace, a series of pits Q, arranged in the flues, in a line with the
escaping products of combustion, substantially as described.
7. In a furnace, the combination of the walls J¹, with the pits Q, arranged at
different points, in the line of the moving products of combustion, substantially as
set forth.
8. The hearth D, having a water chamber placed under or formed in it,
substantially as specified.
9. In a furnace, the combination of the flues C¹, D¹, E', H', and valve Mч, the
valve M, and the flue G, being adapted to be closed, so as to prevent air from
mingling with the products of combustion as they pass over the bridge wall, for
the purpose of producing a low temperature in the hearth, substantially as described.
In witness whereof I the said W Lyon MºNair have hereunto set my hand
and seal this 1st day of May A.D. 1884.