Improved Methods of Utilizing Slag made in connection with Iron and Steel Furnaces.
Year: 1892

page_text: Date of Application, 20th Apr., 1892
Complete Specification Left, 20th Jan., 1893-Accepted, 20th Apr., 1893
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improved Methods of Utilizing Slag made in connection with Iron
and Steel Furnaces.
CHARLES HENRY ASTON Manufacturer 49 Vaughan Street Middlesbrough
Yorkshire do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as follows:-
First. By the manufacture of improved bricks and blocks made from molten or
liquid slag, by the use of moulds with tapered projections conical or other shaped
inside, so that the bricks or blocks may be cast with perforations or holes or spaces
in, so as to reduce the weight and secure the advantage of more firmly securing
their top and underpart with adjacent block or brick, and also when to advantage,
their sides one to another, especially in the construction of dock and sea walls,
breakwaters piers lighthouses, bridges, and general building work and purposes, (a
useful size being a 9 in. cube and one third of this size with an ornamental face)
also sectional curved blocks with perforations in, or solid, for the construction of
tunnels and sewers of various dimensions, and other purposes, made of annealed slag,
cast with hollow and round projections on sides or bottom and top, so as to cause
interlocking of the sections one with another also to form slag pillars or roof
supports in collierys or other mines, to be used in place of the usual wood and coal
props, or pillars, also improving the appearance of the face of the bricks or blocks,
(using moulds to cast the bricks or blocks in, when to advantage, with loose sides)
by useing within the moulds fine salt borax lead gypsum. Hot blast stove flue dust
manganese tar and silicate of soda by themselves or mixed in various proportions
before the molten slag is run in the moulds to form the brick or block so as to
volatillise by the heat of the slag and form a glaze or enamel on the face of the
brick or block or tile. Also lining the inside of the mould with or without asbestos
and silicate of lime or basic lining to prevent the bricks or blocks and also the
moulds from cracking.
Secondly. By the use of solid or perforated slag blocks or sections as supports or
for the inside packing of steel or iron railway and tram sleepers, to give them
greater support and durability, especially under the parts on which the rail chair is
subject to the heavy strain and weight of the engine wheels going over. And when
to advantage I use a piece of asphalte felt, between top of slag block and inside of
sleeper so as to prevent any vibration. Using blocks of slag made of molton slag
in moulds, afterwards well annealed in airtight ovens. Also blocks made of
cement and concrete slag also moulded to fit the inside shape of the sleeper.
Thirdly. The utilization of slag by an improved way of disintegration of molten
slag into a fine state of sand or powder by the use of one or more jets of steam so
placed within a long tube containing a flow of liquid or molten slag from the iron
furnace slag spout as to destroy all cohesion in the particles of the slag by the
destructive power of steam when confined in going through a tube say one third
filled with running molten slag procuring the steam when advisable by enclosing the
part of tube nearest the furnace say about 14 feet within an outer tube or boiler
about three times its diameter containing water so as to utilise the great heat of the
slag when entering the tube, and flowing through the boiler part as fuel to vaporise
the water into the steam required for destroying the cohesion of the particles of
slag and also to drive an engine of a ball mill or other machinery used in converting
fine slag when amalgamated with the proportions of lime and calcined iron oxide
required for making it into good reliable hydraulic or Portland cement. Also for
the same purpose the utilization and use of, the waste water used in cooling the
tuees &c. in iron furnaces for to run or flow within a long tube containing a flow of
molten slag from the furnace slag spout to obtain the advantages of the destructive

page_text: power of running water. Also steam in preventing the cohesion of molten slag so
as to obtain slag in a fine dry or wet state at the end of the tube at very small cost
by regulating the flow of the water within the tube. Among other new uses for the
utilization of slag in a state of fine dry powder is for polishing glass and metal
knife cleaning powder mixing with clay and hot blast stove and other flue dust for
brick making. The utilization of slag for making drain and sanitary pipes paveing
slabs mantle shelves window sills door steps grave stones and monuments fencing
posts railway chairs and grooved blocks for tramway wheels to run in or on made
of selected and compact slag, cast in moulds and well annealed in air tight ovens.
Improving the quality of the slag when to advantage by mixing lead or borax with
the slug in the large ladle before running the slag into the moulds. Also when to
advantage making the moulds of very refractory materials as fireclay and ganister
asbestos silicate of soda, hot blast stove flue dust and shrunk magnesian lime and
tar so that the slag article cast within the mould can be annealed by its own heat in
its gradual cooling in the nonconducting mould made of these materials, to facilitate
the transfer of the slag bricks or blocks from the moulds fixed or loose on
horizontal wheels, used for casting on, to the airtight annealing ovens. I use when
to advantage a portable converger or turntable for the bricks or blocks to drop on
when released from the moulds. Also mixing hot blast stove or other light
calcined refractory dust in the molten slag when in the tub or ladle before casting
bricks or blocks so as to get the advantage of a solid and yet much lighter brick or
block than the slag itself makes.
Anril 20th 1800
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improved Methods of Utilizing Slag made in connection with Iron
and Steel Furnaces.
I, CHARLES HENRY ASTON Manufacturer 19 Bolckow Street Middlesbrough
Yorkshire 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 :-
First by the manufacture of improved bricks and blocks made from molten or
liquid slag by the use of moulds with tapered projections conical or other shaped
inside so that the bricks or blocks may be cast with perforations or holes or spaces
in so as to reduce the weight and secure the advantages of more firmly securing
their top and under part with adjacent block or brick, also when to advantage their
sides one to another especially in the construction of dock and sea walls break-
waters piers lighthouses bridges and general building work and purposes (a useful
size being a 9 in. cube and one third of this size with an ornamental face) also
sectional block with perforations in, or solid, for the construction of tunnels and
sewers of various dimentions and other purposes made of annealed slag cast with
hollow and round projections on sides or botton and top so as to cause interlocking
of the sections one with another as shown in accompaning drawings, Sheets
No. 1 and 2 Figures No. 1 to 10.
Fig. 1 Sheet 1 illustrates a block with horizontal hollow and rounded projection
and depression on the side and end, also top and bottom so as to fit and lock into
the corresponding hollow and rounded projection and depression of the adjoining
blocks.
Fig. 2 Sheet 1 illustrates a block with two horizontal hollow and rounded
projections and depressions on the sides and ends, also top and bottom which can be
used to an advantage to break joints with the courses both above and below it so as
to lock and bind one with another.
Fig. 1 Sheet 2 illustrates a vertical block with two horizontal hollow and
rounded projections and depressions upon the vertical sides and one hollow and

page_text: rounded projection and depression on the top and bottom. The advantage of this
block is to lock each course of blocks to the course below.
Fig. 2 Sheet 2 illustrates a block having a hollow and rounded projection and
depression on its sides and rounded projection on its under surface having its upper
longitudinal edges curved as showen.
Fig. 3 Sheet 2 illustrates an elevation of a series of these No. 2 blocks.
Fig. 4 Sheet 2 illustrates a vertical section of Fig. 1 Sheet 1 locking block.
Fig. 5 Sheet 2 illustrates an horizontal section of locking blocks with hollow
and rounded depression and projections.
Fig. 6 Sheet 2 illustrates an elevation of horizontal locking blocks combined
with vertical locking blocks so as to bind or tie the blocks more firmly together
especially for lighthouse, pier, and sea wall constructions.
Fig. 7 Sheet 2 illustrates a transverse section or elevation of blocks as shown
by Fig. 2 Sheet 1 which has special advantages for seawall and breakwater
construction.
Fig. 8 Sheet 2 illustrates an arch constructed with locking blocks as shown.
Fig. 9 Sheet 2 illustrates an oval shaped sewer constructed with locking blocks
as shown.
Fig. 10 Sheet 2 illustrates a round sewer or tunnel constructed with locking
blocks as shown.
Also to form concrete and cast scoria slag pillars or roof supports in collieries or
other mines interlocking of the sections one with another also to form slag pillars
or cylinders of concrete or cast scoria or roof supports in collieries or other mines
to be used in place of the usual wood stone iron and coal props or pillars. Also
improving the appearance of the face of scoria slag bricks or blocks by useing
moulds to cast the bricks or blocks in, also by useing within the moulds a coating
of fine salt borax lead gypsum, hot blast stove fine dust, manganese, fluorspar by
themselves or mixed in various proportions, before the molten slag is run in to the
moulds to form the brick or block, so as to fuse by the heat of the slag and form a
glaze or enamel on the face of the brick or block or tile. Also lineing the inside
of the mould with asbestos and silicate of lime or basic lining to prevent the bricks
or blocks and also the moulds from cracking.
Secondly. By the use of solid or perforated slag blocks or sections as supports or
inside packing of steel, or iron, railway and tram sleepere to give them greater
support and durability especially under the parts on which the rail chair is subject
to the heavy strain and weight of the engine wheels going over. And when to
advantage I use a piece of asphalte felt between top of slag block and inside of
sleeper so as to prevent any vibration. Using blocks of slag made of molten slag in
moulds afterwards well annealed in airtight ovens. Also blocks made of cement
and concrete slag, also moulded to fit the inside shape of the sleeper.
Thirdly. The utilisation of slag by an improved way of disintegration of molten
slag into a fine state of sand or powder by the use of one or more jets of steam so
placed within a slanting tube containing a flow of liquid or moulten slag from the
iron furnace slag spout so as to destroy cohesion in the particles of the slag, by the
destructive power of steam when in contact with the molten slag in going through
a tube so as to disintegrate the molten slag, into slag sand, procuring steam when
advisable. By enclosing the tube or the part of tube nearest the furnace slag
spout within an outer tube or boiler containing water so as to utilise the great heat
of the molten slag when entering the tube and flowing through the boiler part as
fuel to heat water for feeding boilers. Also to vaporise the water into steam also
superheated steam for various purposes. Also heating air for blast engine use and
other purposes when hot air can be used to advantage useing the molten slag from
two or more furnaces when convenient so as to ensure a more continuous flow of
molten slag and when to advantage running the surplus molten slag into a pit or
reservoir from which a supply of molten slag can be used if required. Also for
supplying the steam required for destroying the cohesion of the particles of slag in

page_text: the tube and to drive an engine of a ball mill, crusher mixer, or other machinery
used in converting fine slag into hydraulic or Portland cement. Also for the same
purpose or heating feed water for boilers. The utilisation and use of the waste
water used in cooling the tuyers &c. in iron furnaces for to run or flow within a
slanting tube containing a flow of molten slag from the furnace slag spout to obtain
the advantages of the destructive power of running water. Also the steam
therefrom in disintegrating or preventing the cohesion of molten slag and making it
more cementatious so as to obtain slag in a fine dry or wet state at the end of the
tube at very small cost & by regulating the flow of the water within the tube and
to secure the advantages of enough latent heat remaining in the slag as it comes out of
the tube to expel the moisture contained in the slag. Among other new uses for
the utilisation of slag in a state of fine dry powder is for polishing glass and metal
knife cleaning powder mixing with clay and hot blast stove and other flue dust so
that the articles can be burned in a kiln for brick making also when mixed with
various proportions of slacked magnesian lime with and without hot blast stove flue
dust for making drain and sanitary pipes, paving blocks bricks and tiles pavement
slabs mantle shelves window sills door steps grave stones monuments and fencing
posts railway chairs and grooved blocks for tramway wheels to run in or on also
made of selected and compact slag cast in moulds and well annealed in airtight
ovens. Improving the quality of the molten slag when to advantage by mixing lead
or borax or fluorspar and lime with the molten slag in the large ladle before running
the slag into the moulds and to eliminate the sulphur and gas out of the molten slag
so as to make it more solid and compact and hard and also increasing the hardness
of concrete slag by imercing the articles made in a bath of silicate of soda & water.
Also when to advantage making the moulds of very refractory materials as fire clay
and ganister asbestos mixed with silicate of soda. Hot blast stove flue dust and
basic shrunk magnesian lime and tar so that the slag article cast within the moulds
can be annealed by its own initial heat during its gradual cooling in the noncon-
ducting moulds made of these materials and to facilitate the transfer of the slag
bricks or blocks from the moulds fixed or loose on horizontal wheel used for casting
on, to the air tight annealing ovens, I use when to advantage a portable converger
or turn table for the bricks or blocks to drop on when released from the moulds,
also securing the advantage of fixing the horizontal wheel carrying the moulds
when practicable at a sufficient elevation so as to slide down the bricks or blocks
when released from the moulds direct down to the annealing oven door by means of
an iron shoot or slide also the use of another shoot or slide from the discharging
oven door to rail truck or stock yard. Also mixing hot blast stove or other
calcined refractory dust in the molten slag when in the tub or ladle before casting
bricks or blocks so as to get the advantage of a solid and yet much lighter brick or
block than the molten slag of itself makes. Also the utilisation of such slag that
containing enough lime in its composition it causes it to fall into powder and disin-
tegrated by the action of the weather and when mixed with magnesian lime and hot
blast stove flue dust in making a cement or morter simular to Portland cement, a
useful cement can be made by mixing equal proportions by measure of each with or
without a little plaster of paris. This cement I call Chastonian cement.
Having now particulary described and ascertained the nature of my said inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed I declare that what 1
claim is
1st. The manufacture of bricks and blocks made from molten slag with perfora-
tions in cast in moulds as described.
2nd. The manufacture of interlocking or perforated blocks of slag made in
monlds from consolidated molten slag in sections to form sewers or tunnels light-
houses, bridges piers breakwaters dock and sea walls as shewn on the accompaning
drawings Sheets No. 1 & 2 Figures No. 1 to 10.
3rd. The manufacture of interlocking or perforated blocks of slag made from

page_text: molten slag also concrete slag to form pillars or cylinders for roof supports in
collries or underground mines.
4th. The manufacture of bricks tiles and blocks cast in moulds lined inside with
a mixture of asbestos and silicate of soda to prevent cracking of mould, and also
the slag articles made in the mould.
5th. The manufacture of slag bricks, tiles, or blocks with a glazed or enameled
face produced by the volatised action of borax, fluorspar gypsum manganese and
hot blast stove dust mixed with salt when in contact with the hot slag when poured
into the mould.
6th. The manufacture and use of blocks or sections of slag as supports or inside
packing to strengthen steel railway sleepers.
7th. The use of asphalte felt placed between the top of slag block or slag
concrete, and inside of the steel rail sleeper so as to prevent any vibration.
8th. The manufacture of slag sand by the use of a slanting tube containing a
jet or jets of steam so placed as to destroy cohesion of the molten slag as it runs
down the tube connected to furnace slag spout or vessel containing molten slag.
9th. The manufacture of slag sand by the utilisation of a regular flow of the
waste water after its use in cooling the tuyers &c. at iron furnace within a slanting
tube so as to destroy the cohesion of the molten slag when in contact with water
so regulating the flow of water as to leave enough latent heat in the disintegrated
slag to expel any moisture contained in the slag so as to produce dry slag with the
advantage of being made more cementatious by its contact with steam or water.
10th. The utilisation of the great heat contained in molten slag as a fuel for
heating water steam or air during its flow down a slanting tube placed within a
boiler, or outer tube, containing water, steam or air to be used in driving machinery
and other purposes or heating feed water for boilers securing a more regular and
continous flow of molten slag down the slanting tube by the use of a pit or vessel
containing surplus molten slag or molten slag brought from the next or other
furnaces.
11th. The manufacture and use of fine dry slag in powder for polishing glass,
metal, and for sale as a knife cleaning powder also when mixed with hot blast stove
or other flue dust and clay (and the articles afterwards burned in a kiln) for making
drain and sanitary pipes paving blocks tiles and bricks. Also pavement slabs
mantel shelves window sills, door steps, grave stones monuments fencing posts,
railway chairs and grooved blocks for tramway wheels to run in or on. Also the
manufacture of the same articles made of consolidated molten slag cast in a mould
useing prepared slag with the sulphur and gas eliminated by fluorspar lime or borax
mixed in the molten slag or lead mixed in to toughen the slag. The same articles
also made of fine slag and hot blast stove dust mixed with magnecian lime and
made into a concrete, and when to advantage hardening them by placeing them in
a bath of silicate of soda and water.
12th. The use of moulds for casting slag articles in made of fireclay ganister,
asbestos mixture silicate of soda mixed with hot blast stove dust also shrunk
magnesian lime and tar, so that the slag articles cast within the mould can be
annealed by its own initial heat in its gradual cooling in this kind of nonconducting
mould.
13th. The use of a converger or turntable to more quickly convey the slag
bricks from the moulds secured on the usual horizontal wheel to the annealing
oven charging door, also securing the advantage when a converger is not used of
fixing the horizontal wheel carrying the moulds under the flow of molten slag at a
sufficient elevation so as to allow a shoot or slide from the wheel to oven charging
door for the bricks to slide down also a shoot or slide from the oven discharging
door down to rail truck or stock yard.
14th. The use of mixing hot blast stove or other light calcined refractory dust in
the molten slag to get the advantage of a solid yet much lighter brick or block than
the molten slag of itself makes.
15th. The manufacture of a cement I call Chastonian cement by the use of such

page_text: slag that contains enough lime in its composition to fall into powder and disintegrate
by the action of the weather mixed with magnecian lime and hot blast stove flue
dust with or without a little plaster of paris.
Dated this 19th day of January 1893.
CHARLES HENRI ASTON.