An Improved System for the Manufacture of Coke, the Construction of Coke Ovens, and the Recovery of By-products from same.
Year: 1895

page_text: Date of Application, 27th May, 1895
Complete Specification Left, 18th Feb., 1896-Accepted, 23rd May, 1896
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
An Improved System for the Manufacture of Coke, the Construction
of Coke Ovens, and the Recovery of By-products from same.
JOHN THOMAS KEY, Civil Engineer Royston near Barnsley, Yorkshire
WILLIAM SIMPSON KEY Journalist Winthrop Mass. U.S.A. We do hereby
declare the nature of this invention to be as follows:-
The coke-ovens are of the well known type or shape, called beehive, rectangular,
round or square, and we cause one, two, or more false bottoms to be laid in suitabley
formed, or shaped bricks, & of the most suitable material and laid in such a manner,
so as to form channels for the outlets of the gases & by-products; we then cause a
series of pipes of suitable material to be so placed under the false bottom or
bottoms in such a position that an equal pull or down draught is obtained from all
parts of the oven: attached to the end or any part of the pipe an exhauster of any
type is so placed, as to draw, or pull the gases & by-products downwards in the
ovens: For the cooling quenching, or slacking the coke when burnt off, a series of
pipes, of suitable material & shape are so placed inside the ovens, with suitable
outlets to correspond with the channels in or under the false bottom or bottoms;
the pipes are brought through the wall & attached or connected to a main steam
pipe running along the front of coke ovens at some convenient position with
properly constructed connections & valves: and by turning on the steam through
the pipes which are placed under the false bottom or bottoms the steam rushes
upwards through the joints of said bottom, or bottoms, into the hot coke; the
results being it drives before it & upwards all the deleterious compounds in
the shape of gases more particularly the sulphure compounds which arises from the
decomposition of the pyrites contained or mixed in the coal, the result being an
almost pure coke, the object sought for.
In the construction of the coke ovens we cause perforated blocks to be so placed
that the air supply for combustion is admitted in small streams, so that a more
regular mixture of air is obtained, which prevents the waste which at present takes
place by the admission of air in large quantities: And by this improved system
viz.-the downward draught or pull, we get an increased production of coke in
proportion to the amount of coal used, by consolidating the particles of the
carbon with the rest of the coke; and which by other systems is allowed to
escape.
April 30th 1895

page_text: An Improved System for the Manufacture of Coke, the Construction
of Coke Ovens, and the Recovery of By-products from same.
JOHN THOMAS KEY_Civil Engineer, Ivy Cottages, Sandal, near Wakefield
Yorkshire, formerly of Royston WILLIAM SIMPSON KEY Journalist Winthrop,
Mass. U.S.A. We 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 :-
The coke-ovens are of the well known shape or type called beehive, rectangular,
round, or square, and we cause one, two, three or any other number of false
bottoms to be laid in bricks, or any other suitable material, and of such a shape or
form as when laid down they will form channels for the outlet of the by-products,
(known by the names of heavy, and light oils, together with anomonical liquor)
under which said bottom or bottoms or floor, we place one or more pipes of
suitable material and in such a position that an equal pull or down draught can be
obtained from all parts of the oven at the same time.
Attatched to the principal gas main either before the condenser, or afterwards
an exhauster of any well known type, which draws or pulls all the products of
combustion downwards through the floor or false botton or bottoms and along the
pipes.
For quenching, slacking, or cooling the coke when burnt off, we cause pipes
made of suitable material, with all necessary outlets to be so placed under the false
bottom or bottoms, in such a manner that will be found to be most efficient, in
quenching, slacking, or cooling the coke, we cause the said pipes to be attached or
connected to a main steam pipe running from boiler aleng the front of coke ovens
in the most convenient place with tees, bends, and valves, by turning on the steam
it rushes through the pipes which are under the floor, or bottom, or bottoms, out
at the cutlets along the channels formed by the bricks and up through the open
joints of the bricks forming bottom, when the operation of cooling begins and at
the same time any of the deleterious matter which has become gaseous more
particularly the sulphur compounds which exist amongst the coke, and in the
oven, in form of sulphurous gases, are driven off leaving an almost pure coke.
In the construction of the ovens we cause perforated blocks to be so placed that
the air supply for combustion is admitted in small streams so that a more regular
mixture of air is obtained, preventing the waste which at present takes place by
admitting the air in large undefined quantities.
By this system, viz. :-the downward draught or pull, we get in addition to the
gases and by-products a greater yield of purer coke by consolidating the carbon
which has and is being allowed to escape at the top or along the flue, or flues,
connected to, or attached to the ovens from thence to chimney, either directly or
indirectly, and at the same time as our means or system of supplying the necessary
air or oxygen viz. :-by conveying it right round the oven, combustion or carboniza-
tion takes place equally at the back as at any other part of the oven, which is
the reverse of any of the present existing systems in use for coke making, as for
the wanting of air or oxygen at the back of oven or ovens, a much longer period
is required for the coke to become thoroughly carbonized which results in great
loss or waste of the coke at the front of oven or any other part where the admission
of air or oxygen takes place.
The accompanying drawings Fig. 1. and 2. on Sheet 1. represent the plan of
coke oven in section with the first and second floor of special bricks laid in
accordance with our invention, together with the steam pipes laid between the
two floors or bottoms of special bricks, also the centre suction or outlet pipes for
the gases &c.

page_text: Fig. 1. represent the coke oven in sectional plan, a. is the front opening or
position of doorway b. b. are the outlet pipes shewn by dotted lines c. c. c. are
the circular steam pipes and their connections, the circular pipes are placed against
the firebrick wall forming, oven and held in position by the first floor of special
bricks, e. e. is the outside covering of common red bricks, g. g. is the firebrick
forming oven, h. is the leading main from pipes b. b. in oven, down and along of
the said pipes the gases &c. are drawn. i. is a syphon box or cistern for the
reception of any condensable matter such as oil and anomonical liquor, j. is the
valve for shutting off, closing, or stopping the downward action of the oven i.e. by
preventing the exhauster from having any further action on the carbonized
coke in the oven, k. is the principal-gas-main leading to exhauster &c. l. is
the first floor of special bricks laid at right angle to the doorway or front of
oven, and partially covering the pipe ends b. b. n. n. are the inlet pipes laid in
brickwork for the passage of air or oxygen to the perforated blocks.
Fig. 2. on Sheet 1. is another sectional plan of coke oven, a¹ is the front opening
or doorway are the outlet pipes as shewn by dotted lines, c¹ c¹ c¹ are the steam
inlet connections, e' e¹ is the common red brick covering. is the leading main
from pipes b' in oven, ¹, is the syphon box or cistern, 21, is the valve for
shutting off the oven, k is the principal-gas-main, l' is the finished floor or bottom
of oven laid in special bricks parallel with the doorway a'. m. m. are the perforated
blocks, n' n' are the air inlet pipes to perforated blocks, o. o. are the connections
of n n' to m. m.
Fig. 3. on Sheet 2. represent sectional elevation of coke oven, a², is the doorway
or entrance to the oven through which the coke when carbonized is drawn or
extracted, 62, 63, are the outlet pipes for the gases &c. when drawn through the
floor or bottoms, c², is the circular steam pipe, d, is the outlet flue for the products
of combustion leading into the main flue when working in the ordinary way, e³, is the
red or cominon brick covering over the firebrick, f, is the feed hole or opening into
oven, g', g, is the firebrick wall forming oven, ², is the leading main con-
necting with principal-gas-main, is the syphon box or cistern, j³, is the
shut off valve, k¹ is the principal gas main, are the two false bottoms laid at
right angles to each other, m', is the perforated air block n², is the air inlet pipe
to m¹ shewn in dotted lines, c is the steam inlet connection.
Fig. 4. on Sheet 3. represent coke oven in front elevation, a a³ are the openings
or doorways of ovens for the drawing or extracting the coke when burnt, are
openings or sight holes through which observations can be made, also for the
admission of air if found necessary, c', c', c, c, are the steam inlet connections to
circular steam pipes c. c. d', d', d, d' are the openings for the admission of air or
oxygen to the perforated blocks m', through the pipes n², *, *, h, h, are the
leading mains from centre of oven to the principal-gas-main, k.,, are the
syphon boxes, k, is the principal-gas-main leading on to exhauster &c.
Fig. 5, on Sheet 4. represent a sectional plan of our system constructed entirely
of brick work with radiating covered flues terminating in the centre of oven by
being connected with the leading outlet pipe or flue which is carried forward and
connected with the principal-gas main any required distance from oven, at, is the
opening for doorway, b, b, b, bt, b, b₁, b, bt, b, are the openings of radiating flues
or pipes, c, is the steam inlet connection, where steam is admitted when the coke is
fully carbonized and the valve is closed it rushes forward along the leading
main, to the radiating flues or pipes and up through the false floors or bottoms,
driving off or out all deliterious matter which exist in the form of gas more
particularly sulphurous and phosphrous gases. e, is the backing of common red
brick work, g is the fire brick lining of oven, , is the leading pipe from centre of
oven to the principal-gas-main k. 3 is the closing valve, k³ is the principal-gas-
main leading on to exhauster &c.
Fig. 6. on Sheet 5. represent the same oven as on Sheet 4. only in sectional
elevation which shews more particularly the manner or way the radiating flues or
pipes are constructed together with the main or leading flue or pipe and how they

page_text: are connected through to the principal-gas-main outside the oven, a³, is the opening
or doorway of oven, 666 are the radiating flues or pipes underneath the false
floor or bottom of oven down which the gases &c., pass or are drawn down by the
exhauster, c, is the steam inlet, d', is the outlet flue for the products of combustion
when the oven is working under ordinary conditions, e, is the common red brick
backing is the feed hole through which the coal or smudge is placed in oven,
99 is the firebrick lining of oven, h is the leading flue or main from radiating
flues or pipes in centre of oven. 1, is the closing valve for shutting off oven
from the principal-gas-main k., is the floor of special bricks p. p. p. p. p. are
the air inlet holes.
Fig. 7. on Sheet 6 represent a sectional plan of special bricks to form
underneath floors or bottoms of coke ovens, a a are the projecting pieces,
are the spaces formed between the courses of bricks co co co are the faces of
bricks.
Fig. 8, on Sheet 6, represent a sectional elevation of two courses of the special
bricks forming the false floors or bottoms, a' a' are the projecting stops, the
spaces or cavities formed between the special bricks by a a. c c are the end
views of bricks, d' is the side view of top course of special bricks, etc are the
spaces or cavities formed by splade end of bricks.
Fig. 9. on Sheet 6, represent another sectional elevation of the two courses of
special bricks forming the false floors or bottoms of coke oven, but are shewn at
right angles to those on Fig. 8. e e' are the cavities or spaces formed by the
bevel sides of bricks ** are the end views of top course of special bricks.
a, a, are the stops or projecting pieces, 1868 are half circular spaces through
the bricks, c8 c8 are the sides of special bricks. We are aware that a false
floor or bottom can be formed by different shape or form of bricks, and with
more than two courses but we have restricted ourselves by giving these two
examples.
What we more particularly claim for our system over and above any other
existing systems, or methods for the manufactur of coke is as follows and as shewn
by the various drawings hereunto attached, we cause the floor, bottom, or bottoms
of coke ovens to be constructed hollow, i.é. with cavities formed as shewn by the
sections of special brick work on Sheet 6. and numbered 7. 8. and 9. from the
cavities or spaces underneath the floor or bottom or bottoms, it will be seen we
have radiating flues or pipes to a centre or main flue which enables us to get an
equal pull or down draught from all parts of the oven at the same time, we are
aware of several attempts having been made in the same direction but all have
proved failures from the fact that they have only caused the main pipe to just pass
through the front wall of oven and have had open radiating channels under a false
bottom or bottoms, the consequence being that they simply drew or pulled down
and burnt away the coke just inside the oven, over and above the pipe end leaving
the rest of the material in the oven untouched, but by our system of carrying the
main pipe to the centre we get an even and equal pull as already stated all over
the surface of the material at the same time. In case where we use cast iron
pipes for drawing down the gases, and for the admission of steam underneath
the bottom we use not less than two false bottoms laid after the manner shewn by
illustrations on Sheet 6 placing the steam pipe all round the oven between the two
false bottoms with small holes in said steam pipe opposite the channels formed by
the special bricks and the bricks being laid dry there is sufficient space for the
steam to rush through and permeate the whole coke. In the other oven we adopt
only the main centre flue together with any number of radiating branch flues and
one false bottom constructed with bricks of the same shape or kind as the top or
finished floor in the other plan.
And by our system we can carbonise a much larger quantity of coal or smudge
in less time than is done by any other system, we cause say six tons of smudge to
be placed in the oven and level it in the ordinary way and then build up the door
way or wicket, and when it has been burning for about three hours it has formed

page_text: by conglomeration a great number of fissures, which state at once indicates that
the time has arrived for starting the exhauster or if the exhauster is running
opening the valve at the junction of the centre pipe leading from the oven to
the main gas pipe, the action then is all the products of combustion (which by
other processes is allowed to pass upwards either through the feed hole at top of
oven or through the eye into the main flue either for steam raising or direct into
the chimney) is drawn downwards through the mass of burning smudge or coal the
solid particles of carbon combining with the mass in oven, and the gaseous and liquid
portions are drawn forward by exhauster through condensers &c. and there
collected in the form of oils and water, but they are pure and simple by-.
products which if not incorporated with the mass in oven or collected are simply
waste unless utilise for steam raising or any other purpose: another and very
important part of our claim is the equal admission of air or oxygen all round
the oven at the same time, for giving or causing an even combustion or carbonisca-
tion to take place all over at the same time; we make no claim for heated
air as that idea is simply a fallacy, for combustion cannot take place without a
sufficient supply of air or oxygen in proper proportions which it is utterly
impossible to admit by the so called hot air systems, as the great expansions of
the air when heated by passing along the pipes almost completely chokes the
pipes preventing any passage or circulation of air or oxygen; but by our system,
we place the pipes of sufficient capacity at a low level and convey it all round by
the perforated blocks in the one case as shewn by section on Sheet 2, and in the
other we place holes with plugs (and turned down pipes outside of the iron caseing
if found necessary) for the admission of air all over the surface at the one and
the same time, the results being we get an equal and quick combustion all over the
oven at the same time, the result being perfect carbonisation takes place in from.
a third to one half of the time as at present and it is there a great deal of waste
is prevented by our system, for at the present time in a great number of cases the
carbonised coke has to remain inside the front of oven and becomes consumed
by the admission of air or oxygen either through small holes purposely made in
the wickets or holes constructed for the same purpose of conveying or admitting
air or oxygen to the back or every part of oven but which is an imposibility to
do; by our system we avoid all that waste and time as we admit the air or oxygen
at the place where and when required without interfering with any other part of
the operation: and when we have got off or out all the foreign or deleterious
matter from the coal or smudge we close the valve and allow the coke to remain in
the oven from 3 to 4 hours in the usual way, after that period or any other that
may be found necessary we turn on the steam and allow it to remain for a
sufficient length of time to clean the coke of any deleterious gases, we then shut
off the steam and finish the cooling and tempering of the coke by high pressure
water at an equal temperature which gives it the bright steel like appearence so
escential for a good coke.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of our inven--
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed we declare that what we
claim is :-
1. False or perforated floor, bottom, or bottoms, in the construction of coke-
ovens, for the downward passage of the gases, oils, &c., to the main outlet
pipes, or flues, also for the inlet and upward passage of the steam from same.
2. The special form of bricks forming false floor, bottom or bottoms.
3. The centre or main flue, radiating flues or connecting flues of any required
number or of any material, shape, or form which may be found most convenient or
suitable for the coal to be dealt with.
4. Perforated air supply blocks, or channels, or flues, for the admission of air or
oxygen to all parts of coke-ovens at the same time.
5. The steaming the coke when ready for drawing from oven for the purpose of

page_text: desulphurising the coke &c. clearing the main & other outlet flues or pipes,
together with the false floor, bottom, or bottoms.
February 18th 1896.
JOHN THOMAS KEY,
Ivy-Cottages, Sandal, near Wakefield,
Civil Engineer.
WILLIAM SIMPSON KEY,
Winthrop, Mass., U.S.A.,
Journalist.