Process and Apparatus for Froducing Coke, Gas and Bye-products.
Year: 1898

page_text: Date of Application, 13th June, 1898
Complete Specification Left, 13th Apr., 1899-Accepted, 13th July, 1899
Process and Apparatus for Froducing Coke, Gas and Bye-products.
PAUL NAEF, Ph. D., Chemical Engineer, 15, 3rd Avenue, New Brighton, SI.,
New York, U.S.A., and RICHARD STEPHEN GARTON, Chemist, of same address, do
hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as follows:-
This invention relates to a process and apparatus for the manufacture of coke,
heating and illuminating gases, ammonia and other by-products.
One object of the invention is to provide a process and apparatus to produce
coke in a single apparatus in larger quantities than has been done heretofore, co
as to enable the production of all the coke required by a blast furnace, in a smaller
number of such plants.
Further objects of the invention are:-to manufacture fuel and illuminating
gases as by-products; to utilize the nitrogenous compounds of the coal, which are
with ordinary coking processes left in the coke, for the production of ammonia;
to utilize the heat of the red hot coke for generating steam and superheating the
same; to convert most of the volatile matter of the coking material into gaseous
hydrocarbons; to utilize the heat of the gas, which leaves the coking apparatus,
for the purpose of preheating and partially coking the fresh coking material; to
cool the gas leaving the coking apparatus by passing it through a chamber con-
taining one or more pipes through which the coking material descends; to make
the coking of fuel, the recovery of ammonia from the nitrogenous constituents
of the coke and the cooling, screening and loading of the coke automatic opera-
tions; to produce a coke containing a low percentage of ash.
These results are obtained by a method of supplying the heat necessary for the
coking of the fuel by passing hot gases through it in a downward direction.
The invention also relates to the apparatus for carrying out the process.
In the drawings Fig. 1, shows a vertical section of an apparatus for carrying
out the process.
Fig. 2, shows an apparatus for the same process, with the addition of arrange-
ments for utilizing the heat of the gases for preheating the coking material and
special arrangements for treating the incandescent coke with steam.
In Fig. 1, the coking apparatus consists of a shaft, 1, encased with an iron man-
tle, 2, and supported on columns, 3. A charging hopper, 4, is connected with a con-
veyor, 5, which delivers the coking material into the bell, 7, suspended from the
plate, 6. Some distance below the top, an annular channel, 8, encircles the fur-
nace, and is connected with the inside of the shaft by means of ducts, 9. This
annular channel, 8, communicates through pipe, 10, with the furnace or pro-
ducer, 11, which burns liquid fuel.
This oil furnace, 11, consists of a chamber, 12, constructed of fire brick, 18, and
encased with iron, 14. It has a number of perforated arches, 15. Oil is intre-
duced into the furnace through a spray nozzle, 16, connected to the oil pipe, 17,
and is partially burnt by compressed air introduced through pipe, 18. Any suit-
able oil burner can be used for this purpose. In front of the oil burner is arranged
a fire-brick partition, 19, to prevent the flame striking the firebrick lining.

page_text: Near the top of the coking apparatus is an exit pipe, 20, having a valve, 21,
through which illuminating gas can be passed to a suitable washer, not shown.
Some distance below the entrance, 8, of the hot gas are inlets for injecting
steam from pipe, 22, through radially arranged branches, 23, and also for inject-
ing water from a main pipe through radially arranged branches, 24, into the red
hot coke.
Fuel gas is conducted from the coking apparatus through the ducts, 25, into
the annular channel, 26, & then through pipe, 27, to a suitable washing and cool-
ing apparatus for condensing tar and absorbing ammonia. This washing and cool-
ing apparatus can be connected with an exhauster and as any suitable washer
and exhauster can be used, they are not shown in the drawings.
Pluged openings, 28, are arranged to clean the circular channel, 26, and similar
arrangements, 29, are used for cleaning the ducts.
The arrangement for withdrawing the coke from the apparatus shown in Fig. 1,
is as follows: The apparatus has a funnel shaped bottom, 30, closed by doors, 31,
which are supported on beams, 32, and are operated by means of screws, 33, and
wheels, 36. There are two doors, or sets of doors, which close against the parti-
tion, 34. Just above the doors, 31, are strongly supported bars, 35, threaded on
the outer end, which can be pushed through the coke by turning the hand
wheels, 36, whose threads engage in those, 37, of the bars. The bars, 35, are
used for supporting the coke in the shaft, whilst the doors, 31, are being closed,
and also if the doors have to be removed for repairs. Below each door or set of
doors is a
tight-fitting hopper, 38, with an inclined bottom, 39, the top of which
fits tightly to the coking apparatus, and is closed at the bottom with a sliding
door. 40. By opening these doors, 40, the coke is discharged on to inclined
screens, 41. The fine coke passes through the screens into hopper, 42, which dis-
charges into car, 43. The coarse coke rolls into cars, 44 as shown, or into a con-
veyor--not shown which conveys it to any suitably arranged place.
Before describing the operation of the apparatus shown in Fig. 1, in detail we
will describe the construction of the apparatus shown in Fig. 2. This apparatus
is designed so as to enable a more thorough utilization of the heat, a better dis-
tribution of the hot gases, and a better decomposition of the nitrogenous constitu-
cnts of the coke with formation of ammonia, than can be obtained in the apparatus
shown in Fig. 1.
This apparatus consists, like Fig. 1, of a shaft of circular or rectangular rection
built of fire-brick, 1, enclosed with sheet iron, 2, and supported on columns, 3.
Pipe, 4, conducts heated gases from an oil or any other suitable furnace into the
annular channel, 5, then through the ducts, 6, to the interior of the apparatus. The
gases pass downward through the coking material, coking the same and leave
through the off takes, 7, and annular channel, 8, in the same way as shown in
Fig. 1. Instead of conducting them at once to a cooling and washing plant, they
enter the chamber, 9, through pipe, 10, which has suitable inclined shelves, 11,
on which dust is deposited. The gas passes through the chamber to the upper part
of the coking apparatus through pipe, 13. The dust can easily be removed from the
chamber, 9, by opening the dampers or slides, 12. The upper part of the coking
apparatus is constructed of metal, which can be coated with a non-conducting
composition of asbestos or other suitable material. It consists of a number of
vertical pipes, 14, of cast or wrought iron, in a casing of iron, 15, fitted with suit-
able doors, 16, for cleaning purposes; surmounted with a cover, 17, which carries
a gas outlet pipe, 18, and a number of inlets for feeding fuel into the vertical
pipes, 14. The fuel is fed from hopper, 20, by means of the conveyor, 21, through
these inlets, 19, and is distributed by means of cones 22. Usually there are two
sets of such conveyors, inlets and cones. The space surrounding the vertical
pipes, 14, at the bottom and top are closed by tightly fitting plates 23, & 24. The
chamber which is thus formed is divided by horizontal partitions, which cause
the hot gas entering turough pipe, 13, to pass upwards in a zigzag way. For this
purpose the first partition, 25, has one or more openings on the left at, 26, the

page_text: second partition, 27, has one or more openings on the right, 28, the third, 29,
again on the left, 30, and so on. The cooled gases are drawn through pipe 31, to
suitable washing apparatus, not shown, for absorbing ammonia. The advantages
and functions of this part of the apparatus will be further described, when des-
cribing the operation of the apparatus.
Having described the construction of the upper and middle parts of the appara-
Lus, we will now describe the part below the gas exit, 10. This part, which is of
considerable size, is used for the production of ammonia from the nitrogenous
constituents of the coke by the action of steam, and also for cooling
the coke with water with simultaneous production of steam. The object
is to convert all or most of the nitrogen of these nitrogenous constituents
into ammonia without using a large excess of steam. For this purpose the steam
is brought into intimate and prolonged contact with the coke by a special arrange-
ment to be described. The steam necessary for the above reaction is produced by
injecting water into the coke after the same has been partly cooled by the action
of steam. In addition steam can, if desired, be introduced from a steam boiler
or other source. Water is introduced into the apparatus, for cooling the coke &
producing steam, through radially arranged pipes, 32, which branch off from a
main pipe, 33, encircling the furnace. The steam produced is withdrawn and
forced into the apparatus on a higher level: for this purpose there is an annular
channel, 34, with ducts, 35, some distance above the entrance of the water. This
channel, 34, is in communication with pipe, 36, which connects with the branch
pipes, 37 and 38. These branches are connected with annular channels, 39 and 40,
having inlets, 41, into the coking apparatus. In the pipe, 36, is a suitable fan
or blower, 42, by means of which steam can be drawn from the lowest annular
channel, 34 and forced into the apparatus at a higher level through the channels 39
and 40, and ports or ducts 41. The ammonia and gas formed by the action of
steam on the coke is drawn off through the ports, 43, into the annular channel, 44,
and through pipe, 48, to suitable washing apparatus-not shown.
Direct steam can be introduced into the channels 37 and 38, through pipe, 45.
Valves 46, and 47, allow to shut off the connecting pipe, 37, and fan, 42; in which
case the steam produced from the water introduced at, 32. and the direct steam
introduced at, 45, travel to the annular gas off-take, 44. By means of the main
gas pipe and suitable valves, 48 to 54, the fuel, illuminating and water gases.can
be drawn off separately, or they can he mixed as described later on.
The coking apparatus has a funnel shaped bottom, 55, at the base of which.
there are sliding doors, 56, worked by racks, 57, and pinions 58. The toothed
rollers, 59, are arranged to effect a regular discharge of the coke. Below the
sliding doors are inclined screens, 60, and suitable cars into which the coke is
loaded.
The coking apparatus shown in Figs. 1 and 2, can be made of any section, but a
circular or rectangular section is usually preferred. The latter has the advantag
that the width of the column can be varied to suit different coking materials. A
number of such apparatuses can be built together in one block, in a similar way
as ordinary by-product coke ovens. In such cases channels for injecting and
taking off gases and also channels for introducing steam and water are arranged in
the sides of the coking shafts.
The operation of the apparatus shown in Fig. 1. is as follows:-
-
Fuel is elevated by any suitable means into the hopper, 4, and fed into the
furnace by the conveyor, 5. Hot gases from the oil furnace. 11, enter through
pine, 10, into the annular channel, 8, and through the ducts, 9, is forced into the
coking material. As the coking material contains at this point a considerable
amount of volatile matter dry distillation takes place rapidly. As the gas from
the oil furnace is mostly carbonic oxide and hydrocarbons, none of the volatile
matter of the fuel is destroyed by combustion, but it is partly converted into illu-
minating gas and partly into tar. Some of this gas rich in illuminating constitu-
ents is drawn off through pipe, 20, and is conducted through any suitable washing

page_text: apparatus, not shown. The amount of gas drawn through pipe 20, can be regu-
lated by the valve, 21, and is adjusted to suit the material to be coked as will be
described later on. The remainder of the hot gases which enter through the
ducts, 9, pass through the coking material in a downward direction, quickly heat-
ing it to a high temperature and converting it into coke. At a point, where the
coking is completed, steam is injected through pipes 23. The steam is quickly
superheated by the red hot coke and then produces ammonia from the nitro-
genous compounds of the coke with the simultaneous production of water gas.
At a still lower point water is introduced through pipes, 24, for cooling the coke
and producing steam. If it is not necessary to produce a gas containing much
hydrogen, sufficient steam can be produced by introducing water through the
upper pipes, 23. Fuel gas leaves the apparatus through the off-takes, 25, to the
annular channel, 26, and is conducted through suitable washing apparatus to absorb
the ammonia, not shown. During the downward passage of the gas through the
coking material, the volatile matter is mostly converted into permanent gas. Car-
bon is at the same time deposited and assists in producing a hard coke. The
process is worked in such a way, that so much volatile matter passes with the
gas in a downward direction, that a sufficiently hard coke is produced. The rest
of the volatile matter is drawn off along with the rich gas from the top of the
apparatus through pipe, 20. If the process is carried out in this way, a gas rich
in illuminating constituents and containing much tar and ammonia is drawn
from the top of the apparatus, and a fuel gas is delivered through the pipe, 27.
In cases where all the gas is used for heating purposes no gas is withdrawn from
the top all the gas then has to pass downwards through the coke: consequently
fuel gas containing only a small amount of undecomposed tar is delivered from
pipe, 27.
As the upper part of the apparatus is filled with fine coking material which
offers a considerable resistance to the passage of the gas, there is practically no
gas pressure and therefore no inconvenience in the charging of the coking material.
Below the entrance of the hot gas, the apparatus is mostly filled with coke,
therefore the resistance to the passage of the gas in a downward direction is not
very high. By passing the gas through the coking material in a downward direc
tion there is a better distribution of the gas over the whole section of the shaft
obtained.
The coke is withdrawn alternately through the doors 31 and 31°. Hopper 38,
is first filled with coke by opening door 31; afterwards door 31, is closed and the
hopper 38. emptied into car 44; by opening the door 40, at the bottom. In the
meantime hopper 38" is filled by opening door 31ª.
By using the doors and hoppers alternately the coke can be withdrawn without
any loss of gas.
If occasionally a small vacuum is produced in the lower part of the coking
apparatus by exhausting too much as from the gas off-takes, no air can be
drawn into the apparatus, when discharging coke to cause an explosion. For
further safety, pipes 45, are arranged leading into each hopper, through which
an inert gas containing no oxygen is delivered. Such gas can be obtained from
boiler or furnace stacks where the draught is carefully regulated to avoid the
presence of oxygen in dangerous quantities. A small pressure of this inert gas
is maintained in. the hoppers by means of a fan, 46. As the coke is emptied from
the hoppers the space it occupied is filled with inert gas instead of air. Explosions
are thus made impossible.
Instead of using hot gases from an oil furnace, hot gases from a furnace using
solid fuel, or hot or cold air can be introduced into the coking apparatus.
When using oil a great advantage can be gained by burning the same with an
insufficient amount of air, so that a flame is produced holding undecomposed
hydrocarbons in suspension. As the gas passes through the red hot coke these
hydrocarbons are converted into permanent gases: it is thus possible to obtain
all the gas in the form of illuminating gas in one operation,

page_text: A further advantage is gained by preheating the air used for the combustion of
the oil in the oil furnace, in heating stoves before it enters the oil furnace. In
this way a temperature is produced in the coking apparatus which enables the
production of cyanide in connection with the production of coke.
The operation of the apparatus shown in Fig. 2, is as follows:-
Fuel is fed from the hopper 20, by means of the conveyor 21, into the vertical
pipes 14. In these pipes flie fuel is heated and coked on the outside a hard crust.
of coke being formed. After passing out of the pipes these hard crusts break up
into lumps, which facilitates the passage of the gas through the material. The
hot gases from an oil furnace or other source enters through pipe 4, into the an-
nular channel then through the ducts 6, into the coking material. This action is
the same as that described in Fig. 1. The material is rapidly coked and most
of the volatile matter is converted into gas. Fuel gas containing ammonia and
only a small amount of tar vapours leaves the apparatus through the off-takes T,
into the annular channel 8. Then it passes through the dust chamber or col-
lector 9, and afterwards in a zigzag way through the chamber surrounding the
pipes 14, leaving it at a low temperature through pipe 31, to be conducted to a
suitable washing apparatus and an exhauster-not shown-for recovery of
ammonia.
Illuminating gas containing tar and ammonia can be withdrawn separately
through pipe 18.
After the coke has descended below the exit of the fuel gas, it is exposed to
the action of steam for the production of ammonia. The steam produced by the
injection of water at 32, is drawn off at 35, by the blower 42, to be injected into
the hotter part of the apparatus through pipe 36, into the annular channels 39
and 40 and the ducts 41. Steam from other sources can be added by opening
the steam valve 45". The water gas produced by the action of the steam on the
coke is drawn off through ports 43, and annular channel 44. This gas rich in
hydrogen, can be treated separately for the recovery of ammonia or it can be
mixed with the other gases. In the first case it is drawn off through pipe 48ª,
the valve 48, being open and the valve 49, closed. If the gas is to be mixed with
the other gases valve 48, is closed and 49, opened; the gas passes into pipe 49°.
Into the same pipe 49", the illuminating gas from pipe 18, can be conducted.
This gas from pipe 18, can be conducted to a separate washing apparatus-not
shown if desired through 18". The same is the case with the fuel gas drawn
off at 31. It is therefore possible to obtain three distinct gases from the same
apparatus,simultaneously:--illuminating gas at 18", fuel gas at 51" and water
When there is no object to keep these gases separate they can be mixed in
pipe 49 and then drawn through pipe 50 to a general condensing plant.
gas at 48.
The amount of volatile matter and hydrocarbons drawn upwards, and the
amount going downwards with the gas, can be regulated at will. by regulating
the suction on the gas outlets, and if desired only such an amount is drawn down-
wards as is necessary to produce a hard coke.
The apparatus can be used for production of ammonia from substances contain-
ing nitrogenous compounds, which are acted upon by steam. Such substances
are heated in the upper part of the apparatus and are treated with steam in the
lower part, in the same way as described. An important feature is, that all the
gas from the coking plant, can be directly and continuously obtained as illumina-
ting gas.
This is achieved by burning the oil with only a small amount of air, so that
undecomposed oil vapours are carried with the gas into the coking apparatus.
In contact with the large amount of red hot coke, the oil is fixed and a perma-
nent illuminating gas leaves the coking apparatus continuously. In places where
oil is expensive more economical results can be obtained by burning solid fuel
in a gas-producer, as shown in the application 7951/98, dated under International
Convention 7 Sept. /97, and by introducing oil through the sprays shown in the

page_text: top of said producer: in this way the heat for the coking process is produced by
burning solid fuel and oil is only used for increasing the illuminating power of
the gas.
For the purpose of supplying heat for acting more thoroughly on the nitro-
genous constituents of the coke, by steam in the lower part of the apparatus, a
secondary supply of air or hot gas can be arranged in the lower part as shown by
dotted lines in Fig. 2 of the drawings.
It is obvious, that as the case may require that the general construction of the
apparatus may be varied, to effect the best results in the process without departing
from the spirit of our invention.
Instead of hot gases from an oil-furnace or gas producer, hot or cold air can
be blown into the apparatus, and the heat necessary for the coking can be pro-
duced by combustion of a small part of the coking material.
The apparatus can also be used for the production of cyanide in connection with
coke-making which process is subject of a previous application 7,953--/98 dated
under International Convention 7 Sept. 97.
New York Dated this 2nd day of Tuna 1808
PAUL NAEF.
RICHARD S. GARTON.
Process and Apparatus for Producing Coke, Gas and Bye-products.
PAUL NAEF, Ph.D., Chemical Engineer, and RICHARD STEPHEN GARTON,
Chemist, both of 372, W. 120th Street, New York, 1.S.A., (formerly No. 15.
3rd Avenue, New Brighton, Staten Island, N.Y., do hereby declare the nature of
this invention and in what manner the same is to be performed, to be particu-
larly described and ascertained in and by the following statement:-
This invention relates to a process and apparatus for the manufacture of coke,
heating and illuminating gas, ammonia and other by-products.
One object of the invention is to provide a process and apparatus to produce
coke in a single apparatus in larger quantities than has been done heretofore,
so as to enable the production of all the coke required by a blast furnace in a
smaller number of such plants.
Further objects of the invention are: to manufacture fuel and illuminating
gases as by-products; to utilize the nitrogenous compounds of the coal, which are
with ordinary coking processes left in the coke, for the production of ammonia;
to utilize the heat of the red-hot coke for generating steam and superheating the
same to convert most of the volatile matter of the coking material into gaseous
hydrocarbons to utilize the heat of the gas, which leaves the coking apparatus
for the purpose of preheating and partially coking the fresh coking material;
to cool the gas leaving the coking apparatus by passing it through a chamber
containing one or more pipes through which the coking material descends: to
make the coking of fuel, the recovery of ammonia from the nitrogenous constitu-
ents of the coke and the cooling, screening and loading of the coke automatic
operations; to produce a coke containing a low percentage of ash.
These results are obtained by a method of supplying the heat necessary for the
coking of the fuel by passing hot gases through it in a downward direction.
The invention also relates to the apparatus for carrying out the process.
In the drawings filed with the Provisional Specification Fig. 1 shows a vertical
section of an apparatus for carrying out the process.
Fig. 2 shows an apparatus for the same process with the addition of arrange-

page_text: ments for utilizing the heat of the gases for preheating the coking material and
special arrangements for treating the incandescent coke with steam. In Fig. 1,
the coking apparatus consists of a shaft 1, encased with an iron mantle 2, and sup-
ported on columns 3. A charging hopper 4 is connected with a conveyor 5, which
delivers the coking material into the bell 7 suspended from the plate 6. Some
distance below the top an annular channel S encircles the furnace and is connected
with the inside of the shaft by means of ducts 9. This annular channel S com-
municates through pipe 10, with the furnace or producer 11, which is shown so
as to burn liquid fuel.
This oil furnace 11, consists of a chamber 12, constructed of fire brick 13, and
encased with iron 14. It has a number of perforated arches 15. Oil is introduced
into the furnace through a spray nozzle 10, connected to the oil pipe 17, and is
partially burnt by compressed air introduced through pipe 18. Any suitable oil-
burner can be used for this purpose. In front of the oil burner is arranged a fire-
brick partition 19, to prevent the flame striking the firebrick lining.
Near the top of the coking apparatus is an exit pipe 20 having a valve 21,
through which illuminating gas can be passed to a suitable washer not shown.
Some distance below the entrance 8 of the hot gas are inlets for injecting steam
from pipe 22, through radially arranged branches 23, and also for injecting water
from a main pipe through radially arranged branches 24, into the coke.
Fuel gas is conducted from the coking apparatus through the ducts 25, into
the annular channel 26, and then through pipe 27, to a suitable washing & cool-
ing apparatus, for condensing tar and absorbing ammonia. This washing and
cooling apparatus can be connected with an exhauster, and as any suitable washer
& exhauster can be used they are not shown in the drawings.
Pluged openings 28, are arranged to clean the circular channel 26, and similar
arrangements 29, are used for cleaning the ducts.
The arrangement for withdrawing the coke from the apparatus shown in Fig. 1,
is as follows. The apparatus has a funnel shaped bottom 30, closed by doors 31,
which are supported on beams 32, and are operated by means of screws 33 and
wheels 36. There are two doors or sets of doors, which close against the parti-
tion 34. Just above the doors 31, are strongly supported bars 35, threaded on
the outer end, which can be pushed through the coke by turning the hand
wheels 36, whose threads engage in those 37, of the bars. The bars 35 are used
for supporting the coke in the shaft whilst the doors 31 are being closed, and also
if the doors have to be removed for repairs. Below each door or set of doors is
a tight-fitting hopper 38, with an inclined bottom 39, the top of which fits tightly
to the coking apparatus, and is closed at the bottom with a sliding door 40. By
opening these doors 40 the coke is discharged on to inclined screens into hopper 42,
which discharges into car 43. The coarse coke rolls into cars 44.
We will describe the construction of the apparatus shown in Fig. 2. This
apparatus is designed so as to ensure a more thorough utilization of the heat, a
better distribution of the hot gases and a better decomposition of the nitrogenous
constituents of the coke with formation of ammonia, than can be obtained in
the apparatus shown in Fig. 1.
This apparatus consists like Fig. 1, of a shaft of circular or rectangular section
built of fire-brick 1, enclosed with sheet iron 2, and supported on columns 3.
Pipe 4 conducts heated gases from an oil or any other suitable furnace into the
annular channel 5, then through the ducts 6; to the interior of the apparatus.
The gases pass downwards through the coking material coking the same and
leave through the off-takes 7 and annular channel 8 in the same way as shown
in Fig. 1. Instead of conducting them at once to a cooling and washing plant
they enter the chamber 9, through pipe 10, which has suitable inclined shelves 11,
on which dust is deposited. The gas passes through the chamber to the upper
part of the coking apparatus through pipe 13. The dust can easily be removed
from the chamber 9, by opening the dampers or slides 12. The upper part of the

page_text: coking apparatus is constructed of metal, which can be coated with a non-con-
ducting composition of asbestos or other suitable material. It consists of a num-
ber of vertical pipes 14 of cast or wrought iron, in a casing of iron 15 fitted
with suitable doors 16, for cleaning purposes, surmounted with a cover 17, which
carries a gas outlet pipe 18 and a number of inlets for feeding fuel into the verti-
cal pipe 14. The fuel is fed from hopper 20, by means of the conveyor 21 through
these inlets 19, and is distributed by means of cones 22. Usually there are two
sets of such conveyors, inlets and cones. The space surrounding the vertical
pipes 14, at the bottom and top are closed by tightly fitting plates 23, and 24.
The chamber which is thus formed, is divided by horizontal partitions, which
cause the hot gases entering through pipe 13 to pass upwards in a zig-zag way.
For this purpose the first partition 25, has one or more openings on the left
at 26, the second partition 27, has one or more openings on the right 28, the
third 29, again on the left 30, and so on. The cooled gases are drawn through
pipe 31 to suitable washing apparatus not shown for absorbing ammonia. The
advantages and functions of this part of the apparatus will be further described
in describing the operation of the apparatus.
Having described the construction of the upper and middle parts of the appara.
tus we will now describe the part below the gas exit 10. This part, which is made
of considerable size, is used for the production of ammonia from the nitrogenous
constituents of the coke by the action of steam and also for cooling the coke with
water with simultaneous production of steam. The object is to convert all or most
of the nitrogen of these nitrogenous constituents into ammonia without using
a large excess of steam. For this purpose the steam is brought into intimate &
prolonged contact with the coke by a special arrangement to be described. The
steam necessary for the above reaction is produced by injecting water into the
coke after the same has been partly cooled by the action of steam. In addition
steam can if desired be introduced from a steam boiler or other source.
Water is introduced into the apparatus for cooling the coke and producing
steam through radially arranged pipes 32, which branch off from a main pipe 33,
encircling the furnace. The steam produced is withdrawn and forced into tho
apparatus on a higher level for this purpose there is an annular channel 34 and
ducts 35 some distance above the entrance of the water. This channel 34, is in
communication with pipes 36, which connects with the branch pipe 37 and 38.
These branches are connected with annular channels 39 and 40, having inlets 41,
into the coking apparatus. In the pipe 36, is a suitable fan or blower 42, by
means of which steam can be withdrawn from the lowest annular channel 34 and
forced into the apparatus at a higher level than the channels 39 and 40 and ports
or ducts 41. The ammonia and gas formed by the action of steam on the coke is
withdrawn off through the ports 42, into the annular channel 44, and through
pipe 48 to suitable washing apparatus not shown.
Direct steam can be introduced into the pipes 37 and 38 and channels 40 and
39 through pipe 45. Valves 46 and 47 allow to shut off the connecting pipe 37
and fan 42, in which case the steam produced from the water introduced at 32
and the direct steam introduced at 45, travel to the annular gas off-take 44. By
means of the main gas-pipe and suitable valves 48 to 54, the fuel-, illuminating
and water gases can be drawn off separately or they can be mixed as described
later on.
The coking apparatus has a funnel shaped bottom 50 at the base of which there
are sliding doors 56, worked by racks 57 and pinions 58. The toothed rollers 59,
are arranged to effect a regular discharge of the coke. Below the sliding doors
are inclined screens 60 and suitable cars into which the coke is loaded.
The coking apparatus shown in Fig. 1 and 2, can be made of any section, but a
circular or rectangular section is usually preferred. The latter has the advantage
that the width of the column can be varied to suit different coking materials, and
also a number of such apparatus can be built together in one block in a similar
way as ordinary by-product coke-ovens. In such cases channels for injecting

page_text: and taking off gases and also channels for introducing steam and water are
arranged in the side of the coking shafts.
The operation of the apparatus shown in Fig. 1 is as follows:-Fuel is elevated
by any suitable means into the hopper 4 and fed into the furnace by conveyor 6.
Hot gases from the oil furnace 11, enter through pipe 10 into the annular
channel 8 and through the ducts 9 they are forced into the coking material. As
the coking material contains at this point considerable amount of volatile matter
dry distillation takes place rapidly. As the gas from the oil furnace is mostly
carbonic-oxide and hydrocarbons none of the volatile matter is destroyed by com-
bustion, but it is partly converted into illuminating gas, and partly into tar. Some
of this gas rich in illuminating constituents is drawn off through pipe 20, and is
conducted through any suitable washing apparatus not shown. The amount of
gas drawn through pipe 20, can be regulated by the valve 21 and is adjusted to
suit the material to be coked as will be described later on. The remainder of the
hot gases, which enter through the ducts 9, pass through the coking material in
a downward direction, quickly heating it to a high temperature and converting it
into coke. At a point where the coking is completed steam is injected through
pipes 23. The steam is quickly superheated by the red hot coke and then pro-
duces ammonia from the nitrogenous compounds of the coke with the simultaneous
production of water-gas. At a still lower point water is introduced through
pipes 24, for cooling the coke and producing steam. If it is not necessary to
produce a gas containing much hydrogen sufficient steam can be produced by intro-
ducing water through the upper pipes 23. Fuel gas leaves the apparatus through
the off-takes 25, to the annular channel 26, and is conducted through suitable
washing apparatus to absorb the ammonia (not shown). During the downward
passage of the gas through the coking material the volatile matter is mostly con-
verted into permanent gas. Carbon is at the same time deposited and assists in
producing a hard coke. The process is worked in such a way that so much volatile
matter passes with the gas in a downward direction that a sufficiently hard coke
is produced. The rest of the volatile matter is drawn off along with the rich gas
from the top of the apparatus through pipe 20. If the process is carried out in
this way a gas rich in illuminating constituents and containing much tar and
ammonia is drawn from the top of the apparatus, and a fuel gas is delivered
through the pipe 27. In cases where all the gas is used for heating purposes no
gas is withdrawn from the top, all the gas then has to pass downwards through
the coke consequently fuel gas containing only a small amount of undecomposed
tar is delivered from pipe 27.
As the upper part of the apparatus is filled with fine coking material, which
offers a considerable resistance to the passage of the gas there is practically no
gas-pressure and therefore no inconvenience in the charging of the coking
material.
Below the entrance of the hot gas the apparatus is mostly filled with coke,
therefore the resistance to the passage of the gas in a downward direction is not
very high. By passing the gas through the coking material in a downward direc-
tion there is a better distribution of the gas over the whole section of the shaft
obtained.
The coke is withdrawn alternately through the doors 31 and 31ª. Hopper 38
is first filled with coke by opening doors 31, afterwards door 31 is closed and the
hopper 38 emptied into car 44, by opening the door 40 at the bottom. In the
meantime hopper 38" is filled by opening door 31". By using the doors and
hoppers alternately the coke can be withdrawn without escape of gas.
If occasionally a small vacuum is produced in the lower part of the coking
apparatus by exhausting too much gas from the gas off-takes, no air can be drawn
nto the apparatus when discharging coke, to cause an explosion. For further
afety pipes 45 are arranged leading into cach hopper through which an inert
as containing no nitrogen is delivered. Such gas can be obtained from th
oiler- or furnace stacks, where the draught is carefully regulated to avoid the

page_text: presence of oxygen in dangerous quantities. A small pressure of this inert gas is
maintained in the hopper by means of a fan 46. As the coke is emptied from the
hopper the space it occupied is filled with inert gas instead of air. Explosion is
thus made impossible. Instead of using hot gases from an oil furnace hot gases
from a furnace using solid fuel, or hot or cold air, can be introduced into the
coking apparatus.
When using oil a great advantage can be gained by burning the same with an
insufficient amount of air, so that a flame is produced holding undecomposed
hydrocarbons in suspension. As the gas passes through the red hot coke these
hydrocarbons are converted into permanent gases; it is thus possible to obtain
all the gas in the form of illuminating gas in one operation.
A further advantage is gained by preheating the air used for the combustion of
the oil in the oil furnace in heating stoves before it enters the oil furnace. In this
way a temperature is produced in the coking apparatus, which enables the pro-
duction of cyanide in connection with the production of coke. The operation
of the apparatus shown in Fig. 2, is as follows:-Fuel is fed from hopper 20 by
means of the conveyors 21, into the vertical pipes 14. In these pipes the fuel
is heated and coked on the outside so that a hard crust of coke is formed. After
passing out of the pipes these hard crusts break up into lumps, which facilitates
the passage of the gas through the material.
The hot gases from an oil furnace or other source enters through pipe 4, into
the annular channel then through the ducts 6 into the coking material. This
action is the same as that described in Fig. 1. The material is rapidly coked and
most of the volatile matter is converted into gas.
Fuel-gas containing ammonia and only a small amount of tar vapours leaves
the apparatus through the off-takes 7, into the annular channel 8. Then it passes
through the dust chamber or collector 9, and afterwards in a zig-zag way through
the chamber surrounding the pipes 14, leaving it at a low temperature through
pipe 31, to be conducted to a suitable washing apparatus and an exhauster, (not
shown) for recovery of ammonia.
Illuminating gas containing tar and ammonia can be withdrawn separately
through pipe 18. After the coke has descended below the exit of the fuel gas, it
is exposed to the action of steam for the production of ammonia. The steam pro-
duced by the injection of water at 32 is drawn off at 35 by the blower 42, to be
injected into the hotter part of the apparatus through pipe 36, into the annular
channels 39 and 40 and ducts 41. Steam from other sources can be added by
opening the steam valve 45. The water-gas produced by the action of the steam
on the coke is drawn off through ports 43, and annular channel 44. This gas rich
in hydrogen can be treated separately for the recovery of ammonia or it can be
mixed with the other gases. In the first case it is drawn off through pipe 48",
the valve 48, being open & valve 49, closed. If the gas is to be mixed with the
other gases, valve 48 is closed and 49 opened; the gas passes into pipe 49". Into
the same pipe 49" the illuminating gas from pipe 18, can be conducted. This
gas from pipe 18 can be conducted to a separate washing apparatus-not shown―
if desired through 18". The same is the case with the fuel gas drawn off at 31.
It is therefore possible to obtain three distinct gases from the same apparatus simul-
taneously illuminating gas at 18", fuel-gas at 48", and water-gas at 48.
: -
When there is no object to keep these gases separate they can be mixed in
pipe 49" and these drawn through pipe 50", to a general condensing plant.
The amount of volatile matter and hydrocarbons drawn upwards, & the amount
going downwards with the gas can be regulated at will, by regulating the suction
on the gas outlets and if desired only such an amount is drawn downwards as is
necessary to produce a hard coke.
The apparatus can be used for production of ammonia from substances contain-
ing nitrogenous compounds, which are acted upon by steam. Such substances
are heated in the upper part of the apparatus and are treated with steam in the
lower part, in the same way as described. An important feature is that all the gas

page_text: from the coking plant can be directly and and continuously obtained as illumina-
ting gas.
This is achieved by burning the oil with only a small amount of air so that un-
decomposed oil-vapours are carried with the gas into the coking apparatus.
In contact with the large amount of red hot coke, the oil is fixed and a perma-
nent illuminating gas leaves the coking apparatus continuously In places where
oil is expensive more economical results can be obtained by burning solid fuel
in a gas producer as shown in the applications of Naef No. 7951 /98, and by intro-
ducing oil through the sprays shown in the top of said producer; as there shown
in this way the heat for the coking process is produced by burning solid fuel and
oil is only used for increasing the illuminating power of the gas. For the pur-
pose of supplying heat for acting more thoroughly on the nitrogenous constituents
of the coke by steam in the lower part of the apparatus, a secondary supply of air
or hot gas can be arranged in the lower part as shown by dotted lines in Fig. 2,
of the drawings.
It is obvious as the case may require that the general construction of the appara-
tus may be varied to effect the best results in the process without departing from
the spirit of invention.
Instead of hot gases from an oil furnace or gas-producer hot or cold air can be
blown into the apparatus and the heat necessary for the coking can be produced
by combustion of a small part of the coking material.
The apparatus can also be used for the production of cyanide in connection with
coke-making which process is subject of a previous application, 7953 /98.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said
invention and in what manner the same is to be performed I declare that what
I claim is
1. The process of coking fuel, which consists in charging fuel into a shaft and
withdrawing coke at the base of the apparatus, injecting hot gas some distance
below the top of the fuel conducting the gas downward through the fuel and with-
drawing fuel-gas at a lower level.
2. The process of producing ammonia, gas and coke, which consists in injecting
hot gas into a body of fuel some distance from the top, withdrawing illuminating
gas above and fuel-gas below the entrance of the hot gas.
3. The process of producing coke, gas and by-product, which consists in partialy
coking fuel in the upper parts of a shaft, and withdrawing the rich gas produced
from the top, conducting hot gas through the fuel in the lower part of the shaft.
4. The process of producing coke, gas and ammonia, which consists in first
heating and partially coking the fuel, afterwards conducting hot gas through the
partially coked material in a downward direction, utilising the heat of the result-
ing gases for effecting the heating and partial coking of the fuel, afterwards
treating said gases for the recovery of ammonia.
5. The process of producing coke, gas and ammonia from fuel, which consists
in first heating and partially coking the fuel by external heat in pipes, conducting
hot gases through the heated and partially coked material in a downward direc-
tion and treating the resulting gases for recovery of ammonia, the operations being
carried out simultaneously.
6. The process of producing coke, gas and ammonia from fuel, which consists
in first heating and partially coking fuel by external heat in pipes, afterwards
conducting hot gases through the heated and partially coked material in a down-
ward direction, utilizing the heat of the resulting gases by circulating them round
the pipes, in which the fresh fuel is partially coked and treating said gases for
the recovery of ammonia.
7. The process of producing gas and by-products, which consists in conducting
hot gas through fuel, conducting the resulting gases through a settling chamber

page_text: and afterwards through a chamber, in which are arranged vertical pipes for pie
heating the fuel.
8. The process of producing coke, gas and ammonia from fuel, which consists
in coking the fuel in the upper part of a shaft by conducting hot gases through
the same in a downward direction, drawing off the resulting gases for recovery of
ammonia, treating the coke with steam in the part of the shaft below the exit
of the hot gases, drawing of the ammonia and water-gas from the lower part
separately.
9. The process of producing ammonia and gas from fuel, which consists in cok-
ing fuel in the upper part of a shaft by conducting hot gas through the same in
a downward direction, drawing off the resulting gases for the recovery of ammonia,
injecting steam some distance below the exit of the gas and water near the base
of the apparatus and withdrawing the gas and ammonia produced by the action
of steam between the two inlets, part of the steam being drawn downwards, the
other part upwards through the coke.
10. The process of producing coke, gas and by-products, which consists in cok-
ing coal in the upper part of a shaft, injecting water near the bottom of the said
shaft, drawing off the steam some distance above the water-inlet and reinjecting
the same at a higher level in the apparatus, where the temperature is higher and
withdrawing the gas and ammonia thus produced at a lower level.
11. The method of withdrawing solid material from an apparatus containing
gases, which if mixed with air are explosive, consisting in withdrawing the
material first into a vessel, which is connected with the apparatus and filled with
an inert gas before emptying.
12. The method of producing coke and by-products, which consists in charging
fuel into a shaft, discharging coke at the bottom of said shaft, injecting hot gas
some distance below the top, withdrawing part of the volatile matter and rich
gas from the top and drawing only so much volatile matter downward through
the coke as is necessary to produce a hard coke.
13. The method of producing illuminating, gas, which consists in partially burn-
ing liquid fuel and conducting the hot combustible gases and vapours thus pro-
duced through a body of coking material.
14. The method of producing coke and illuminating gas, which consists in pro-
ducing hot gases in a separate furnace, introducing oil into said gases in fine
division and conducting the mixture through a body of coking material.
15. A coking apparatus consisting of a shaft with suitable arrangements for
continuously feeding fuel and continuously withdrawing coke, having inlets for
hot gas or air some distance below the top and outlets for gas some distance below
said inlets.
16. A coking apparatus consisting of a shaft with suitable arrangements for
continuously feeding fuel and continuously withdrawing coke having inlets for
hot gas or air some distance below the top; outlets for gas some distance below
said inlets, and inlets for steam and water between said gas-inlets and outlets.
17. In a coking apparatus the combination of a channel and ducts for introdu-
cing hot gases or air, with another channel and ducts on a lower level for with-
drawing gas.
18. In an apparatus for producing gas the combination of a channel and ducts
some distance below the top for introducing hot gases or air, a channel and ducts
for withdrawing fuel-gas some distance below said gas-inlets and a pipe for with-
drawing rich gas near the top of the apparatus.
19 In combination with an apparatus for producing gas and coke a furnace
for producing hot gas by the imperfect combustion of oil, consisting of a fire
chamber with a suitable oil-burner.
20. In a coking apparatus a discharging arrangement consisting of two hoppers,
a set of doors above each hopper for drawing coke from the coking apparatus into
said hoppers; and doors at the bottom of said hoppers for the purpose of with-
drawing coke into cars.

page_text: 21. In a coking apparatus a gas-tight hopper for receiving the material, which
is in communication with a supply of inert gas, which gas forms no explosive
mixture with the gas in the apparatus.
22. In a coking apparatus the combination of a coking shaft, columns for sup-
porting the same, a funnel at the bottom of said shaft, two sets of doors at the
base of the funnel, two hoppers closing against said doors, and doors for discharg-
ing coke from said hoppers.
23. In a coking apparatus the combination of an upper part for preheating the
fuel, consisting of vertical pipes surrounded by a chamber, a lower part receiving
the fuel from the pipes consisting of a shaft having inlets for hot gas and gas
off-takes, a settling chamber and means for circulating the gas from the gas off-
takes through the settling chamber and through the chamber surrounding the
vertical pipes.
24. In a gas-apparatus the combination of an out-let-pipe for illuminating gas,
an outlet-pipe for fuel-gas and an outlet-pipe for water-gas, a main-pipe connect-
ing the three outlet pipes and means for regulating the suction in each outlet.
25. In a gas-apparatus the combination of an outlet pipe for illuminating gas,
an outlet for fuel gas and an outlet for water-gas, a main-pipe connecting the
three and means for conducting the gases at will through individual washing
plants or through one washing plant.