Improvements in and connected with Retorts for the Destructive Distillation of Shale or other Oil-yielding Minerals.
Year: 1889

page_text: '
Date of Application, 20th Apr., 1889
Complete Specification Left, 18th Jan., 1890-Accepted, 22nd Feb., 1890
Improvements in and connected with Retorts for the Destructive
Distillation of Shale or other Oil-yielding Minerals.
I, NORMAN MCFARLANE HENDERSON, of the Broxburn Oil Works, in the County
of Linlithgow, North Britain, Engineer, do hereby declare the nature of this Invention
to be as follows, that is to say:-
.'
My said Invention has for its object to improve the construction of retorts and parts
connected therewith, so that the same may require compartively little labor and
expense in working and for repairs, whilst being capable of very completely exhausting
the constituents of the shale or other oil-yielding minerals for operating on which
they are designed.
In carrying out my present Invention according to one modification I effect the
distillation of the oils from the minerals in castiron retorts constructed and arranged
like those described in my Patent Specification No. 1327 of 1873. The retorts are
vertical, each having an exit pipe for the oil at or near the bottom; and the retorts
are by preference arranged in sets of four each such set being in one oven or
heating chamber. Instead of, as in my former arrangement, having a passage with
two doors or valves leading from the bottom of each refort down into a furnace
chamber common to the set of four retorts, I dispense with such doors or valves and
have the bottoms of the retorts in open communication with a common chamber
which is in open communication with a set of four lower retorts or chambers built or
constructed of firebrick. Flues are constructed on all or some of the sides of the
lower retorts through which flues ignited gas is passed for the purpose of maintaining
a high heat in the lower retorts, to complete the exhaustion of the constituents of the
minerals, the action being aided by the injection of steam into the lower parts of the
lower retorts. The flues for heating the lower retorts may be arranged in various
ways. In one convenient modification combustion chambers are formed at the lower
part of the building; and the gas enters each at one inlet and the air for its combus-
tion enters at another: and the mixture being ignited in the combustion chamber
passes up therefrom through one or more ports or slits into the flue spaces above.
From the top of the flue spaces the hot gases pass by a flue, into a small chamber
above, from which a portion passes through regulated ports into the oven for heating
the upper castiron retorts, the remainder of the hot gases being led through regenera-
tive chamber arranged for heating the fresh gas and air.
The upper castiron reforts together with castiron boxes at their bottoms rest upon
the solid brickwork of the structure which brickwork is arched over the common
chamber between the upper and lower retorts. At the outsides of the castiron boxes
holes with covers are provided for the introduction of instruments for loosening the
minerals in the retorts if they should not descend freely when required. Or in some
cases toothed rollers are fitted in the boxes at the bottoms of the upper retorts and
are worked in one direction or alternately in opposite directions, to break up the
minerals and facilitate the action of steam on them in the lower retorts or chambers.
Castiron boxes are also fitted at the bottoms of the lower retorts and toothed rollers.
may also be fitted in them such rollers being worked continuously or at intervals for
the purpose of withdrawing the exhausted earthy residues of the minerals.
The improved retorts and apparatus may be worked in a practically continuous
manner, small quantities of fresh minerals being fed in at the top at frequent short
intervals and the exhausted residues being withdrawn continuously at the bottom. Or
the minerals may be put into the retorts in separate large charges the exhausted
residues being withdrawn in a corresponding manner; and when this mode of working
is adopted the four retorts of a set are by preference charged in regular rotation."

page_text: With my improved retorts and apparatus the minerals are first treated in the upper
castiron retorts in the best manner and with the best heat for obtaining a crude oil
of satisfactory quantity and quality, the oil vapors passing off from the bottoms of
the upper retorts. The minerals next pass into the common intermediate chamber
and thence into the lower firebrick retorts, and in these retorts are acted on by a
higher temperature and by steam whereby the carbonaceous and nitrogenous con-
stituents remaining in the minerals are driven off from them as completely as is
practically possible. The vapors and gases evolved in the lower retorts pass upwards
through those retoris and may proceed through the same outlet pipes as the oil vapors
from the upper retorts or through separate outlet pipes. On their way up from the
lower retorts the evolved vapors and gases which are in a highly heated state act on
the minerals temporarily lodged in the common intermediate chamber and distil off
therefrom any oil vapor or gas remaining or requiring for its evolution a greater heat
than that acting in the upper retorts.
My improved apparatus may be modified as hereinafter indicated; that is to say:-
instead of lower retorts heated externally by means of flues there may be lower
chambers without flues, in which modification air or air and gas must be introduced
into such lower chambers as well as steam so that the necessary heat may be pro-
duced by internal combustion. Or instead of gas being introduced along with air a
little coal may be added in the lower chambers. The upper retorts hereinbefore
described as of castiron may be made of malleable iron or steel; and instead of
resting by their bottom ends they may be suspended by means of flanges at their
upper ends or at some intermediate part. In the case last referred to, what is herein-
before referred to as the intermediate chamber may be in communication with or form
part of the oven or space in which heat is externally applied to the upper retorts:
and the outlet pipes for the oil may be at the bottoms, tops, or intermediate parts of
the retorts.
T
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1
1000
EDMUND HUNT,
Applicant's Agent.
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in and connected with Retorts for the Destructive
Distillation of Shale or other Oil-yielding Minerals.
I, NORMAN MCFARLANE HENDERSON, of the Broxburn Oil Works, in the County
of Linlithgow, North Britain, Engineer, 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:-
My said Invention has for its object to improve the construction of retorts and
parts connected therewith, so that the same may require comparatively little labor
and expense in working and for repairs, whilst being capable of very completely
exhausting the constituents of the shale or other oil-yielding minerals for operating
on which they are designed.
In carrying out my Invention according to one modification I effect the distillation
of the oil from the minerals in castiron retorts constructed and arranged like those
described in my Patent Specification No. 1327 of 1878. The retorts are vertical,
and by preference arranged in sets of four each such set being in one oven or
heating chamber. Instead of, as in my former arrangement, having a passage with
two doors or valves leading from the bottom of each retort down into a furnace
chamber common to the set of four retorts, I dispense with such doors or valves, and
have the bottoms of the retorts in open communication with a common chamber
which is in open communication with a set of four lower retorts or chambers built
or constructed of firebrick. Flues which may be arranged in various ways are
constructed on all or some of the sides of the lower retorts, through which flues
ignited gas is passed for the purpose of maintaining a high heat in the lower retorts,

page_text: to complete the exhaustion of the constituents of the minerals, the action being aided
by the injection of steam into the lower parts of the lower retorts.
My improved apparatus may be modified in various ways. Instead of lower retorts
heated externally by means of flues, there may be lower chambers without flues, in
which modification air or air and gas must be introduced into such lower chambers
as well as steam, so that the necessary heat may be produced by internal combustion.
Or instead of gas being introduced along with air, a little coal may be added in the
lower chambers. The upper retorts herein before described as of castiron may be
made of malleable iron or steel; and instead of resting on their bottom ends, they
may be suspended by means of flanges at their upper ends or at some intermediate
part. In the case last referred to, what is herein before referred to as the inter-
inediate chamber may be in communication with or form part of the oven or space
in which heat is externally applied to the upper retorts; and in any of the modinca-
tions the outlet pipes for the oil may be at the bottoms, tops, or intermediate parts of
the retorts.
And in order that my said Invention and the manner of performing the same
may be properly understood I hereunto append four sheets of explanatory drawings
to be hereinafter referred to and representing apparatus made with my improve-
ments.
•
Figure, 1, sheet, 1, is a side elevation partly in longitudinal vertical section,
figure, 2, sheet, 2, is a transverse vertical section, and figure, 8, sheet, 3, is a
horizontal section, as at three different levels, these figures, 1 to 3, showing one
modification. Figures, 4, and 5, sheet, 3, are a longitudinal and a transverse vertical
section of a second modification. In these drawings the same reference letters and
numerals are used to mark the same or like parts wherever they are repeated.
In the modification of my improved apparatus shown in figures, 1, 2, and 3, there
are upper castiron retorts, A, arranged as usual in two rows in a bench of any
convenient length, each set of four retorts, two on each side of the bench being placed
within or partly within an oven or upper heating chamber, B. The bottoms of the
retorts, A, are in open communication with a common chamber or space, C, which is
in communication with four lower retorts or chambers, 1), built or constructed of fire-
brick. Flues, F, are constructed on the outer sides of the lower retorts, D, and in
the transverse spaces between them but not longitudinally between them. Combustion
chambers, G, are formed at the lower part of the building on the outer sides of the
lower retorts, and into each combustible gas enters through a branch pipe, 6, from
a gas main, H, at one inlet, and air for its combustion enters at another inlet, 7,
through a grating provided with a sliding grating for regulating the supply. From
the combustion chambers, G, the ignited gas passes through ports or slits, S, into the
Hlues, F. In the outer walls of these flues, F, bricks, 9, are fixed so as to project in
across the flues and act as distance pieces, but they are not built into the retorts to
act as ties, although they all but touch the retorts. In the ordinary arrangement
with tie bricks built or bonded into both wall and retori, unequal strains which are
unavoidable are apt to cause distortions and breakages, whereas in my improved
arrangement the distance pieces, 9, act as guides to the retort whilst allowing each
part of it to vary slightly with variations of temperature without producing injurious
strains. In the transverse flue spaces between the retorts of an oven similar distance
pieces or projections, 10, are formed on or built into the sides of the retorts. The
flue spaces, F, are divided into lower and upper parts by horizontal partitions
indicated by dotted lines. 11, these partitions being made with openings, 12, placed
so as to cause the ignited gases to flow in a manner to act as equally as possible on
all parts of the lower retorts, D. At their upper ends the flue spaces, F. communicate
by passages, 13, with a brick funnel, J, in the centre of the oven, B, above; and
after heating the upper retorts, A, in a usual manner, the heating gases pass off by
side ports, K, at the bottoms of the ovens, and by branch pipes, 14, into flues, 15.
Instead of all the heating gas being passed through the oven, B. a portion may be
led through regenerative chambers arranged for heating the fresh. gas and air.

page_text: The upper castiron retorts, A, together with castiron boxes, L, at their bottoms,
rest upon the solid brickwork, M, of the structure, which brickwork is arched over
the common chamber, C, between the upper and lower retorts. The lower retorts, D,
are thus rendered quite independent of the upper retorts, A, and can be repaired and
renewed without removing the upper retorts. At the outsides of the castiron
boxes, 1, holes, N, with covers are provided for the introduction of rods or other
instruments for loosening the minerals in the retorts or intermediate chamber, C, if
they should not descend freely when required. Or in some cases a toothed roller, I',
is fitted in each box, L, at the bottom of an upper retort, A, and is worked in one
direction, or alternately in opposite directions to break up the minerals and not only
to facilitate their descent but also to facilitate the action of steam and heat on them
in the lower retorts or chambers, D. Castiron boxes, R, are also fitted at the bottoms
of the lower retorts, D, and toothed rollers, S, may also be fitted in them such rollers
being worked continuously or at intervals for the purpose of withdrawing the
exhausted earthy residues of the minerals. When toothed rollers, 1', are applied at
the bottoms of the upper retorts, A. there may in some cases be no advantage in
applying toothed rollers, S, at the bottoms of the lower retorts, D; but when upper
rollers, P, are not used it will generally be an advantage to apply lower rollers, S.
For turning the rollers, P, or S, wormwheels, 16, on the ends of spindles fixed to the
rollers are acted on by worms on longitudinal shafts, 17, which may be driven from
any convenient motor. Steam is supplied to the lower retorts, D, from main
pipes, T, by branch pipes, 19, just above the bottom boxes, R.
The improved retorts shown in figures, 1, 2, and 3, and hereinhefore described may
be worked in a practically continuous manner, small quantities of fresh minerals
being fed in at the top at frequent short intervals, and the exhausted residues being
withdrawn continuously at the bottom. Or the minerals may be put into the retorts
in separate large charges, the exhausted residues being withdrawn in a corresponding
manner; and when this mode of working is adopted the four retorts of a set are, by
preference, charged in regular rotation."
With my said improved retorts and apparatus the minerals are first treated in the
upper retorts, A, in the best manner and with the best heat for obtaining a crude oil
of satisfactory quantity and quality, the oil vapors passing off from the bottoms or
tops of the upper retorts as may be found best in practice. The minerals next pass
into the common intermediate chamber, C. and thence into the lower firebrick
retorts, D. and in these retorts are acted on by a higher temperature and by steam,
whereby the carbonaceous and nitrogenous constituents remaining in the minerals are
driven off from them as completely as is practically possible. The vapors and gases
evolved in the lower retorts. D. pass upwards through those retorts, and may proceed
up through the upper retorts, A. and away through the same outlet pipes as the oil
vapors, or they may pass away through separate outlet pipes between the lower and
upper retorts. On their way up from the lower retorts, D., the evolved vapors and
gases, which are in a highly heated state, act on the minerals temporarily lodged in
the common intermediate chamber, C, and distil off therefrom any oil vapor or gas
remaining or requiring for its evolution a greater heat than that acting in the upper
retorts, A.
If found preferable in practice what is herein described as a common intermediate
chamber, C, may be partitioned into separate parts each forming a communication
between one or more upper retorts, A. and one or more lower retorts, D.
In the modification of my improved apparatus shown in figures, 4, and 5, sheet, 4.
the upper retorts, A. are suspended by means of flanges at their upper ends, their
lower ends not being in contact with boxes (such as L.) or other supports. A
common space, C 1. between them and the lower retorts, D. forms the bottom of the
oven space, B 1. The heating gases after passing through flues, F, round the lower
retorts, D), pass off to flues, 15, leading to a chimney or to regenerative chambers,
instead of entering the oven space, B 1. The hot vapors and gases evolved in the
lower retorts, D, not only pass up through the upper retorts, A, but also through the

page_text: oven space, B 1, in which the retorts are placed; and the vapors and gases thus
passing up outside of the upper retorts, A, get access to the outlet pipes, 18, by
entering the tops of the retorts through roles provided for the purpose.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said Inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what I
claim is:-
1. The improved construction and combination of retort apparatus and accessories
for obtaining oil and other products from minerals substantially as shown in
figures, 1, 2, and 3, of the accompanying drawings and as herein before described.
01
2. The combination of a set of upper iron or steel retorts (A) with a set of lower
firebrick retorts (D) and with an intermediate chamber (C) either common
partitioned, the parts being arranged and operating substantially as hereinbefore
described.
3. The improved construction of combined distilling apparatus for obtaining oil
from minerals, in which upper iron or steel retorts are entirely supported by the
main building so as to leave the lower firebrick retorts independent substantially in
the manner herein before described.
4. The improved construction of the lower retorts in manner independent of the
apper retorts, and guided or distanced within their heating flues by bricks fixed at
one end only substantially as herein before described.
5. The employment of toothed rollers (P) to break up the mineral pieces when
passing from the upper to the lower retorts substantially as and for the purposes
hereinbefore described.
6. The employment of toothed rollers (S) to facilitate the removal of the earthy
residues from the bottoms of the lower retorts, substantially as hereinbefore
described.
7. The improved construction and combination of retort apparatus and accessories
for obtaining oil and other products from minerals substantially as shown in
figures, 4, and 5, of the accompanying drawings and as herein before described.
S. In distilling apparatus for obtaining oil and other products from minerals,
combining lower highly heated firebrick retorts with upper iron or steel retorts
hung without bottom support in a chamber. the bottom of which is in open
communication with the lower retorts, the minerals whilst in the upper retorts and
chamber being heated by the gases and vapors from the lower retorts such gases and
vapors passing up through and round about the upper retorts substantially as herein-
before described.
Dated this Seventeenth day of January 1890
EDMUND HUNT,
Applicant's Agent.