Improvements in Primary Distilling Apparatus for Shale or other Oil-yielding Mineral.
Year: 1887

page_text: Date of Application, 31st May, 1887
Complete Left, 25th Feb., 1888
Complete Accepted, 29th Mar., 1888
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Primary Distilling Apparatus for Shale or other
Oil-yielding Mineral.
We, WILLIAM MILLIGAN FRASER Managing Director, and JAMES SNODGRASS,
Assistant Manager, at the Pumpherston Oil Works in the County of Mid Lothian,
North Britain, do hereby declare the nature of this Invention to be as follows, that is
to say:-
This Invention has for its object to improve the construction and action of primary
distilling apparatus for shale or other oil-yielding mineral, and it is applicable to the
kind of such apparatus comprising vertical retorts of which the upper parts are of
castiron or firebrick whilst the lower parts are built of firebrick. In retorts of the
kind referred to the shale is passed down through them in a practically continuous
manner, the oil being principally driven off in the upper parts, whilst the lower fire-
brick parts are more highly heated than the upper parts for the purpose of obtaining
ammonia from the coke or partially spent shale ; as is well understood.
In carrying out our Invention each retort on one side of a bench is dealt with as a
pair with the retort adjacent to it on the other side of the bench, and the lower
brickwork parts of the two retorts of each pair are built of a form which is rectangular
or approximately so in horizontal section, the compartments for the two retorts being
separated from each other by a comparatively thin brickwork partition which has no
flues passing through it. Flues are formed round the pair of lower. parts for the
passage of ignited gas to heat them, such gas finding its way as heretofore into the
oven space in which the upper parts of the retorts are placed, and from thence finally
to a chimney. In this way overheating of the middle adjacent parts of the two lower
retort spaces of a pair is avoided and the formation of clinker at those parts prevented,
whilst the ignited heating gas is better utilised on the three sides of each retort space.
The heating is in effect more uniform across the retort spaces, the treatment of the
material more equal and complete, and its descent more regular. The retorts are at the
same time rendered more durable, whilst the cost for repairs and maintenance is
lessened.
The improvements are applicable in connection with existing retorts as well as in
the construction of new retorts.
· 11 1
C 1007

page_text: COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Primary Distilling Apparatus for Shale or other
Oil-yielding Mineral.
We, WILLIAM MILLIGAN FRASER, Managing Director, and JAMES SNODGRASS,
Assistant, Manager, at the Pumpherston Oil Works, in the County of Mid Lothian,
North Britain, 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, that is to say :-
This Invention has for its object to improve the construction and action of primary
distilling apparatus for shale or other oil-yielding mineral; and it is applicable to the
kind of such apparatus comprising vertical retorts of which the upper parts are of
cast iron or firebrick, whilst the lower parts are built of firebricks. In retorts of the
kind referred to the shale is passed down through them in a practically continuous
manner, the oil being principally driven off in the upper parts, whilst the lower firebrick
parts are more highly heated than the upper parts for the purpose of obtaining
ammonia from the coke or partially spent shale, as is well understood.
The lower firebrick parts of the retorts are commonly heated by ignited gas made
to traverse flues constructed in the walls of the retorts, and passing completely round
each retort; and the present Invention consists in modifying the arrangement of the
heating flues so as to apply the heat in a better manner than heretofore.
And in order that the Invention and the manner of performing the same may be
properly understood we hereunto append a sheet with an explanatory drawing to be
hereinafter referred to and representing in transverse vertical section two retorts of a
bench as constructed with our improvements.
In carrying out the Invention each retort, A, B, on one side of a bench is dealt
with as a pair with the retort, CD, adjacent to it on the other side of the bench;
and the lower brickwork parts, B, D, of the two retorts of each pair are built of a
form which is rectangular or approximately so in horizontal section, the compartments
for the two retorts being separated from each other by a comparatively thin brick-
work partition, E, which has no flues passing through it. Flues, F,.are formed round
the pair of lower parts, B, D, for the passage of ignited gas to heat them, such gas
after passing through the flues, F, finding its way as heretofore into the oven space, G,
in which the upper parts, A, C, of the retorts are placed, and thence finally to a
chimney. In this way overheating of the middle adjacent parts of the two lower
retort spaces, B, D, of a pair is avoided, and the formation of clinker at those parts
prevented, whilst the ignited heating gas is better utilised on the three sides of each
retort space. The heating is in effect more uniform across the retort spaces, the treat-
ment of the material more equal and complete and its descent more regular, than in
such retorts constructed as heretofore with heating flues between them. The retorts

page_text: are at the same time rendered more durable, whilst the cost for repairs and main-
tenance is lessened.
The improvements are applicable in connection with existing retorts as well as in
the construction of new retorts.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of the said
Invention and in what manner the same is to be performed, we declare that what
we claim is:-
In primary distilling apparatus, of the kind hereinbefore referred to, for shale or
other oil-yielding mineral constructing the heating flues for each pair of the retorts
on three sides only of such retorts and separating the two retorts of a pair from each
other by a partition made without flues, substantially as and for the purposes herein-
before described.
cth .. of a 1000
EDMUND HUNT,
Applicants' Agent.