IMPROVEMENTS IN EPPECTING THE COMBUSTION OF FUEL
Year: 1866

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Francis Wise, of the Office for Patents, Chandos
Chambers, Adelphi, in the City of Westminster, Consulting Engineer,
for the Invention of." IMPROVEMENTS IN EPPECTING THE COMBUSTION OF
FUEL. A communication from abroad by Jacob Bührer and Charles
Hemel both of Munich, in the Kingdom of Bavaria.
Sealed the 3rd October 1866, and dated the 4th April 1866.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Francis Wise at the
Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on the 4th
April 1866.
I, FRANCIS WISE, of the Office for Patents, Chandos Chambers, Adelphi,
in the City of Westminster, Consulting Engineer, do hereby declare the
nature of the said Invention for "IMPROVEMENTS IN EFFECTING THE COMBUSTION
OF FUEL," a communication to me from abroad by Jacob Bührer and Charles
Hamel, both of Munich, in the Kingdom of Bavaria, to be as follows:-
My improvements relate to the employment and utilisation of carbonaceous
and other solid combustible substances, such as bituminous coal, anthracitic
and semi-anthracitic coal, coke, bituminous shale, peat, sawdust, tan, charcoal,

page_text: occurring in or reduced to a fine state of division, and effecting their com-
bustion during their transit through a combustion chamber in such a manner
as that the combustion of the several particles of fuel shall be effected when
in suspension in or when passing through or contained in an atmosphere
capable of supporting combustion. The coal or other fuel being in or having
been reduced to a fine state of division, and allowed to fall into or to be
supplied to the combustion chamber in a continuous or slightly intermittent
flow, will produce an almost instantaneous combustion, and by mechanical
arrangements for ensuring the supply a constant degree of heat or
temperature may be obtained.
This new method of employing fuel differs from that generally adopted, as
that instead of the fuel being placed in and upon a fire-place or upon grate
bars for the purpose of effecting combustion, the combustion of the fuel is
effected during its fall, passage, or transit through the combustion chamber,
and thus not necessarily requiring grate bars or other similar arrangements.
The combustion chamber may be supplied with hot or cold air, but it is
preferred to employ heated air. By this Invention fuel which has hitherto
been considered of little or no value, and carbonaceous materials poor
in combustible matter, may be advantageously employed.
In carrying out this Invention the nature of the products of combustion
will depend upon tlie relation of the amount of air admitted to the fuel
employed, and this proportion may be so arranged as that a permanent
combustible gas may be produced, which may be conducted from the
combustion chamber for employment elsewhere, or that the gases may be
thoroughly burnt within and in connection with the combustion chamber.
SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent, filed
by the said Francis Wise in the Great Seal Patent Office on the 4th
October 1866.
TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, I, FRANCIS
WISE, of the Office for Patents, Chandos Chambers; Adelphi, in the City of 3
Westminster, Consulting Engineer, send greeting.
WHEREAS Her most Excellent Majesty Queen Victoria, by Her Letters
Patent, bearing date the Fourth day of April, in the year of our Lord One.
thousand eight hundred and sixty-six, in the twenty-ninth year of Her reign,

page_text: did, for Herself, Her heirs and successors, give and grant unto me, the said.
Francis Wise, Her special license that I, the said Francis Wise, my executors,
administrators, and assigns, or such others as I, the said Francis Wise, my
executors, administrators, or assigns, should at any time agree with, and no
others, from time to time and at all times thereafter during the term therein
expressed, should and lawfully might make, use, exercise, and vend, within
the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland, the Channel Islands, and
Isle of Man, an Invention for "IMPROVEMENTS IN EFFECTING THE COMBUSTION
OF FUEL," a communication to me from abroad by Jacob Bübrer and Charles
Hamel, both of Munich, in the Kingdom of Bavaria, upon the condition
(amongst others) that I, the said Francis Wise, my executors or admi-
nistrators, by an instrument in writing under my hand and seal, should
particularly describe and ascertain the nature of the said Invention, and in
what manner the same was to be performed, and cause the same to be
filed in the Great Seal Patent Office within six calendar months next and
immediately after the date of the said Letters Patent.
.)
NOW KNOW YE, that I, the said Francis Wise, do hereby declare
the nature of the said Invention, and in what manner the same is to be.
performed, to be particularly described and ascertained in and by the following
statement, that is to say :-
My said Invention consists in effecting the combustion for heating purposes
of carbonaceous substances, such as coal, coke, shale, peat, sawdust, tan, and
charcoal in a fine state of division, during their descent through a heated
combustion chamber. The coal or other fuel having been reduced to a state
of fine division, and being allowed to fall into or being supplied to a heated
combustion chamber in a continuous or nearly continuous flow an almost
instantaneous combustion will be produced, and by the employment of suitable
mechanical arrangements the supply may be regulated and made continuous
and a uniform degree of heat may be obtained. This method of effecting the.
combustion of fuel differs from that generally adopted in that, instead of the
fuel being placed in a fire-place, or upon grate bars, its combustion is effected
during its fall or downward passage under the influence of gravitation and
when in a finely divided state through a combustion chamber. In order to
carry out this object the supply of the finely divided fuel should be so.
regulated as that the combustion of the same should be effected as completely
as possible during its descent through the combustion chamber. It will be
readily understood that several methods for insuring a constant supply of fuel
and for regulating that supply to the combustion chamber may be employed,

page_text: but one which will give good results consists in the employment of a hopper
like that used by millers and others. In constructing the combustion chamber,
which may be made of metal, fire-brick, or other suitable material, I prefer
that it should have an internal beight of about from five to twelve feet, the
horizontal area of the chamber varying according to the size of the furnace
or heating surface to which this system is to be applied. The combustion
chamber should be provided with suitable dampers or regulators for the
admission of air, which may be either heated or cold, but it is preferred to
employ heated air; and in order to induce and effect primary combustion of
the finely divided fuel provision should be made for previously raising the
temperature of the interior of the combustion chamber to such a degree as
that the ignition of the finely divided fuel will take place during its descent
through the chamber. For this purpose I prefer to erect one or more grates
at or near the lower portion of the combustion chamber, and to provide a fire
door or doors for the introduction of ordinary fuel to the said grate or grates.
An ash-pit capable of being closed is to be formed below for the reception of
the waste residuum resulting from the combustion of the fuel. When the
ignition of the finely divided fuel has been once effected the fire doors may be
closed, and then the process of combustion will continue as long as the finely
divided fuel is supplied.
By this Invention fuel which has hitherto been considered of little or no
value and other carbonaceous materials poor in combustible matter may be
advantageously employed, and the production of smoke will be effectually
prevented.
In carrying out this Invention the nature of the products of combustion
will depend upon the relation of the amount of air admitted to the fuel
employed, and this proportion may be so regulated as that a permanent
combustible gas may be produced, which may be conducted from the com-
bustion chamber for employment elsewhere; or the proportion of air to fuel
may be so regulated as that the gases may be thoroughly burnt within and in
connection or in communication with the combustion chamber. If it be
desired to obtain a highly reducing flame, then the finely divided fuel should
be admitted to and be brought into contact with the flame and gases produced
in the combustion chamber and during their exit therefrom.
Having now described and particularly ascertained the nature of the said
Invention, and the manner in which the same is or may be used or carried
into effect, I would observe in conclusion that what I consider to be novel
and original, and therefore claim as the Invention secured to me by the herein-

page_text: before in part recited Letters Patent is, the effecting the combustion for
heating purposes of fuel in a state of fine division when descending through a
combustion chamber.
In witness whereof, I, the said Francis Wise, have hereunto set my
hand and seal, this First day of October, One thousand eight hundred
and sixty-six.
FRANCIS WISE. (L.S.)