IMPROVEMENTS IN THE MANUFACTURE OF ARTIFICIAL FUEL."
Year: 1880

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to James Robert Leaver, of Swansea, in the County of
Glamorgan, for an Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN THE MANUFACTURE OF
ARTIFICIAL FUEL."
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said James Robert Leaver at
the Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 30th October 1880.
JAMES ROBERT LEAVER, of Swansea, in the County of Glamorgan.
MENTS IN THE MANUFACTURE OF ARTIFICIAL FUEL."
St
IMPROVE-
My Invention, which relates to "Improvements in the manufacture of artificial
fuel, has for its object facilitating and more effectively performing the operation of
mixing and combining the ingredients of which the said fuel is or may be
composed, and it consists in employing heated compressed air in lieu of steam for
this purpose.
By means of an air pump or blower, or by other convenient means, the air to be
employed is caused to pass through a series of heated pipes or other suitable
heating apparatus, and when sufficiently heated is passed into the pug or mixing
receptacle through one or more apertures, whereby the mixture is heated and is
kept light and easily moved by the knives or mixers during the operation.
According to the ordinary method steam is employed, which is passed through a
superheater and thence into the pug mill, the effect of the steam being by its heat
to melt the pitch used in the composition of the fuel and by its force to lighten the
mass. The steam, however, partially condenses in the mixture, and some steam
remains, notwithstanding that a blower is used to release it and draw off as much
as possible; the soundness of the brick or block is thus impaired, as on the one
hand the presence of the water and steam in the mass while it is contained in the
mould impedes the agglomeration, and on the other hand the steam expands as soon
as the brick or block is ejected from the mould, thereby causing cracks and fissures
in its surfaces.
By the use however of heated compressed air, as hereinbefore described, the
advantages of steam are secured without the disadvantage due to the detention of
steam and the presence of water of condensation in the brick or block, the result
being that the different ingredients are properly agglomerated and a sound solid
brick or block is obtained,

page_text: SPECIFICATION in. pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed by
the said James Robert Leaver in the Great Seal Patent Office on the 28th
April 1881.
JAMES ROBERT LEAVER, of Swansea, in the County of Glamorgan. "IMPROVE-
MENTS IN THE MANUFACTURE OF ARTIFICIAL FUEL."
My Invention, which relates to improvements in the manufacture of artificial
fuel, has for its object the facilitating and more effectively performing the operation
of mixing and combining the ingredients of which the said fuel is or may be
composed or made, and it consists in employing heated compressed air in lieu of
steam for this purpose.
By means of an air-pump or blower, or by other convenient means, the air to
be employed is compressed and caused to pass through a series of heated pipes or
other suitable heating apparatus, and when sufficiently heated is passed into the
pug or mixing trough or receptacle through one or more apertures or holes in-the
sides, ends, or bottom of the trough, so that the heated compressed air will keep
the mixture light, and so as to be easily moved by the knives or mixers and
will permeate the whole mass of the material and afford the necessary heat for its
agglomeration.
According to the ordinary method steam is employed, which is passed through a
superheater and thence into the pug mill, the effect of the steam being by its heat
to melt the pitch used in the composition of the fuel, and by its force to lighten the
mass. The steam, however, partially condenses in the mixture, and some steam
remains, notwithstanding that a blower is used to release it and draw off as much
as possible; the soundness of the brick or block of fuel is thus impaired, as on the
one hand the presence of the water (which deprives heated pitch and like bodies of
their adhesive properties) and steam in the mass while it is contained in the mould
impedes the agglomeration, and on the other hand the steam expands as soon as the
brick or block is ejected from the mould, thereby causing cracks and fissures in its
surfaces.
By the use, however, of heated compressed air, as hereinbefore described, the
advantages of steam are secured without the disadvantage due to the detention
of steam and the presence of water of condensation in the brick or block of
fuel, the result being that the different ingredients are properly agglomerated, the
pitch and coal or other substances being dry are more adhesive and a sound solid
brick or block is obtained.
Having now described the nature and object of my said Invention, together
with the manner in which the same is to be or may be performed or carried into
practical effect, I would remark in conclusion, that I claim as my Invention,-
The application and use of compressed heated air in lieu of steam in the
manufacture of artificial fuel for heating the mixture or compound of which
compressed artificial or patent fuel is made, substantially in the manner hereinbefore
described.
In witness whereof, I, the said James Robert Leaver, have hereunto set my
hand and seal, this Sixteenth day of April, in the year of our Lord One
nity one