Improvements in Smoke Consuming Apparatus Adapted for Use with Steam Generators and the like.
Year: 1899

page_text: Date of Application, 1st Dec., 1899
Complete Specification Left, 28th Aug., 1900-Accepted, 20th Oct., 1900
Improvements in Smoke Consuming Apparatus Adapted for Use with
Steam Generators and the like.
I, PAUL MATHIAS, of Liepvre (Alsace), in the Empire of Germany, Engineer,
do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as follows:-
In grates of the kind usually employed, the air necessary for the combustion
of the fuel used, enters freely beneath the grate bars in too great a quantity,
traverses the stratum of fuel lying upon the bars, bringing into the furnace the
indispensable oxygen.
The result of such an arrangement is to give only an incomplete combustion,
thereby producing black smoke, soot and emanations of oxide of carbon which
are so injurious to the public health, whilst they at the same time represent a
considerable loss of calorific power.
The object of this invention is to provide an improved smoke-consuming
apparatus adapted for use with all kinds of steam generators and which entirely
obviates all the defects above enumerated.
My apparatus consists essentially of two parts. The first part being the fire
bridge constructed of refractory earth and divided by a partition into two com-
partments. The air required for the combustion beneath the grate is conducted
into the first compartment through a passage provided with a regulating register.
The air becomes heated in this compartment in passing beneath the upper wall
of the fire bridge and descends into the second compartment, whence it passes
into the ash pit and then through the grate into the furnace itself. It is then
at a temperature sufficiently high not to produce those unequal expansions
which are so injurious in steam generators.
During the normal operation of the apparatus, the ash pit is closed, in such a
manner that air is only admitted from the exterior in case of absolute necessity,
such for example, as for the removal of cinder or for rapid ignition. The
apparatus should preferably be rendered operative from the time of ignition.
The second part of my apparatus is a hollow diaphragm of refractory earth
into which the air is conducted through two hollow chambers, which arc also of
refractory earth, rising upon each side of the furnace along the lateral walls;
they enter through two apertures arranged in or beneath the ash pit, rise in the
direction of the top of the fire box, whence they enter the before mentioned
diaphragm.
This diaphragm faces the furnace door, and occupies the whole of the upper
portion in the transverse direction descending nearly to the fire bridge in such a
manner as to leave between this latter and the lower extremity thereof only the
space necessary for the passage of the products of combustion.
The walls of the second part or diaphragm present plane surfaces, but it is

page_text: obvious that they may equally well be undulating, for the purpose of increasing
the available surface and for producing in the gases and the soot passing through,
currents adapted to cause their entire combustion.
In addition to this, the interior of the diaphragm may be provided with ribs
of refractory earth in such a manner as to oppose or baffle the flow of the air
therein, thus not only contributing to the strength of the apparatus. but also
sensibly and advantageously increasing the internal heating surface.
The air introduced into the second part or compartment becomes heated thero
to a temperature sufficiently high to enable it on leaving to ignite the com-
bustible gases which pass over the fire bridge without being completely burned,
in such a manner that their complete combustion is effected before they reach
the flues through which these gases ordinarily pass to the chimney.
In order to prevent wear in the parts the apparatus is furnished with a register
which is also of refractory earth. This register may be either raised or lowered,
according to requirements, in such a manner as to entirely intercept the passage
of air when desired. This operation may be effected from the usual position of
the stoker by any suitable means such as a lever arm or the like.
For the application of my invention to steam generators consisting of boilers,
the apparatus comprises a fire bridge with a movable part which is caused to
move upwards from the outside by means of levers provided with counter
weights and connecting rods.
The movable portion of the fire bridge oscillates upon a shaft fixed at each
side by its extremities in lateral portions cemented into the walls of the mass of
the generator.
Upon these lateral portions, and immediately beneath the boilers, is arranged
the essential portion of the apparatus, which is a diaphragm of a special form
but which corresponds, it will be understood, to the diaphragm previously
described.
This diaphragm is imbedded in the walls upon each side of the furnace in the
same manner as the parts which serve as foundations for it.
This diaphragm is hollow, and is divided by means of partitions into com-
partments which are horizontal and of unequal size and serve to thoroughly
distribute throughout the entire height of the furnace, the air admitted by the
Hues arranged for that purpose.
The rear portion of the grate receives, by means of a double ash pit, closed
upon all sides except one, air heated by passing over the wall and the movable
part which is heated to a red heat.
Under these conditions the operation of the apparatus will be readily under-
stood. The cold air entering through the main door of the ash pit, is divided
into two portions, one of which, passing beneath the first front portion of the
grate is absorbed in this latter whilst the other, passing beneath the double ash
pit becomes heated and passes to the rear half of the grate.
Of this heated air another predetermined portion is sucked through the aper-
tures of the lateral flues, and this portion of the air is projected by means of
the diaphragm and of the conduit in which it terminates, throughout the whole
width of the furnace, into the comburant gases with which this air mixes. This
jet of hot air produces an energetic mingling of the gases beneath the diaphragm
and facilitates their complete combustion in passing through it in such a manner
that there passes out only gases at a high temperature freed from soot, which
contribute by the lengthening of the flame to increase the direct heating surface
and consequently the vaporisation.
Suitable levers and connecting rods serve to raise and lower the movable
portion of the fire bridge, that is to say to close or open the aperture beneath
the diaphragm, thus fulfilling the office of register or damper above referred to.
The utilisation of the apparatus presents no difficulty as it is arranged imme-
diately beneath the grate.
In the case of the boilers of locomotives and of marine boilers, the register

page_text: constitutes a separate part, the fire bridge and the diaphragm being cast in
one piece.
My invention also relates to a smoke consuming apparatus intended for use
with a steam generator comprising three boilers, of which the operation is
absolutely regular, that is to say this construction is more especially applicable
to generators consuming the same quantity of fuel and supplying the same
quantity of steam.
Under the conditions above referred to, the apparatus may be simplified by
omitting the whole of the regulating mechanism, thereby increasing its fire-
resisting properties and rendering it more durable.
The improvement added to this type of apparatus for steam generators com-
prising boilers is as follows:
The fire bridge which has previously been movable is fixed, whilst it is made
higher thereby sensibly increasing the temperature of the air intended for the
grate and the diaphragm. The secondary air then passes into the mural side
portions, thence passing through passages into the diaphragm.
For furnaces in which coal of very smoky quality is burned, I consider it very
necessary to mix heated air with the gases liberated from the coal before the
passage of these latter beneath the diaphragm where they would receive a second
addition of superheated air.
An exceedingly simple device enables the smoke consuming qualities of the
apparatus to be still further increased. This device consists of prolongations
of the mural side portions, surmounted by a raised portion in the form of a
hollow nozzle injecting into the comburant gases in the same manner as the
diaphragm, through the lower aperture, air sufficiently heated in its serpentine
passage amongst the partitions provided for this purpose.
In adapting the apparatus to multitubular boilers of the Belleville, Babcock-
Wilcox, Roser and other types it consists of a fire bridge, of an ash pit, and side
portions each surmounted by three nozzles for the injection of hot air, the whole
being cemented into the walls.
The fire bridge is in four or five pieces; it may even be formed of three pieces
only according to the width of the furnace. Each of these parts is provided with
a nozzle or injector serving, in the same manner as those above referred to, to
inject hot air into the flame, before this latter becomes divided in passing through
the bundle of tubes.
In this construction the diaphragm is dispensed with and as many injectors
as are considered necessary are provided, these latter performing the office of so
many small diaphragms.
The passage of the air through the injectors or nozzles through which the
heated air necessary for effecting complete combustion is admitted, assists in
raising the temperature of the flame and in lengthening this latter, by giving
it the oxygen necessary for its vitality, beyond the flame return and through
the bundle of boiler tubes.
The different parts of this apparatus may be replaced as they become destroyed
by the action of the fire.
The parts of the fire bridge are cast with a part strengthened by ribs which
thus imparts all the necessary rigidity.
1000
HASELTINE, LAKE & Co.,
45, Southampton, Buildings, London, W.C., Agents for the Applicant.

page_text: Improvements in Smoke Consuming Apparatus Adapted for Use with
Steam Generators and the like.
I, PAUL MATHIAS, of Liepvre (Alsace), in the Empire of Germany, 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:--
In grates of the kind usually employed for steam generators and the like, the
air necessary for the combustion of the fuel, enters freely beneath the grate bars
in too great a quantity, and traverses the stratum of fuel lying upon the bars.
The result of such an arrangement is to give only an incomplete combustion,
thereby producing black smoke, soot and emanations of oxide of carbon which
are so injurious to the public health, whilst they at the same time represent a
considerable loss of calorific power.
The object of this invention is to provide an improved smoke-consuming
apparatus adapted for use with all kinds of steam generators and which entirely
obviates the defects above enumerated.
In order that my invention may be readily understood and carried into effect I
will describe the same fully with reference to the accompanying drawings, in
which
Figure 1 is a longitudinal section through the furnace of a tubular steam
generator embodying my invention.
Figure 2 is a cross-section through the same.
Figures 3, 4 and 5 illustrate the application of my invention to steam
generators of different types.
Figure 3 is a cross-section through a boiler of the Alsace type.
Figure 4 is a longitudinal section through the same.
Figure 5 represents the application of my invention to the boiler of a loco-
motive, and
Figure 6 represents its application to a marine boiler.
Figures 7, 8 and 9 shew the application of my invention to a steam generator
consisting of three boilers, and
Figure 7 is a cross-section.
Figure 8 a longitudinal section and
Figure 9 a plan view of the same.
Figures 10, 11 and 12 relate to the application of my invention to water tube
boilers, while
Figure 10 is a cross-section.
Figure 11 a longitudinal section.
Figure 12 a plan view of the same.
My apparatus consists essentially of two parts, designated in Figures 1 and 2
as A and C. The first part is the fire bridge A constructed of refractory earth
and divided by a partition a into two compartments. The air required for
combustion beneath the grate, is conducted into the first compartment through
a passage D provided with a suitable regulating device. The air becomes heated
in this compartment in passing beneath the upper wall of the fire bridge and
descends into the second compartment as indicated by the arrows to a¹, whence
it passes into the ash pit K and thence through the grate S into the furnace
itself. It is then at a temperature sufficiently high not to produce those unequal
expansions which are so injurious in steam generators.
During the normal operation of the apparatus, the ash pit K is closed in such

page_text: a manner that air is only admitted from the exterior in case of absolute necessity,
such for example, as for the removal of cinder or for rapid ignition.
The apparatus should preferably be rendered operative from the time of
ignition.
The second part of my apparatus consists of a hollow diaphragm C of refractory
earth into which the air is conducted through two hollow chambers B, which
are also of refractory earth, rising upon each side of the furnace along the
lateral walls; the air enters through two apertures 6 arranged in or beneath the
ash pit K, and rises in the direction of the arrows to b¹ near the top of the fire
box, whence it enters the before mentioned diaphragm C.
This diaphragm faces the furnace door T, and occupies the whole of the upper
portion in the transverse direction, descending nearly to the fire bridge A in
such a manner as to leave between this latter and the lower extremity c¹ thereof
only the space necessary for the passage of the products of combustion.
The walls of the part C present plane surfaces, but it is obvious that they may
equally well be undulating, for the purpose of increasing the available surface
and for producing in the gases and the soot passing through, currents adapted
to cause their entire combustion.
In addition to this, the interior of the diaphragm C may be provided with
ribs o of refractory earth in such a manner as to oppose or baffle the flow of the air
therein, thus not only contributing to the strength of the apparatus but also
advantageously increasing the internal heating surface.
The air introduced into the second part or compartment C becomes heated there
to a temperature sufficiently high to enable it on leaving at c¹ to ignite the com-
bustible gases which pass over the fire bridge without being completely burned,
in such a manner that their complete combustion is effected before they reach
the flues R through which these gases ordinarily pass to the chimney.
In order to prevent wear in the parts, the apparatus is furnished with a
register E which is also of refractory earth. This register may be either raised
or lowered, according to requirements, in such a manner as to entirely intercept
the passage of air when desired. This operation may be effected from the usual
position of the stoker by any suitable means such as a lever arm or the like
adapted to actuate the feet e¹ of the part E.
As indicated in Figures 3 and 4, for the application of my invention to steam
generators consisting of boilers, the apparatus comprises a fire bridge A with a
movable part B which is caused to move upwards from the outside by means of
levers provided with counter weights and connecting rods D.
The movable portion B of the fire bridge oscillates upon a shaft E fixed at
each side by its extremities in lateral portions G cemented into the walls of the
mass of the generator.
Upon these lateral portions G, and immediately beneath the boilers, is
arranged the essential portion of the apparatus, which is the diaphragm H, of a
special form, but which corresponds, it will be understood, to the diaphragm C
previously described in connection with Figures 1 and 2.
This diaphragm is imbedded in the walls upon each side of the furnace in
the same manner as the parts G which serve as foundations for it.
This diaphragm H is hollow, and is divided by means of partitions into com-
partments which are horizontal and of unequal size and serve to thoroughly
distribute throughout the entire height of the furnace, the air admitted by the
flues I arranged for that purpose in the parts G.
The rear portion of the grate receives, by means of a double ash pit, K L M
closed upon all sides except at M, air heated by passing over the wall M and the
movable part B which is heated to a red heat.
Under these conditions the operation of the apparatus will be readily under-
5 stood. The cold air entering through the main door of the ash pit, is divided
into two portions, one of which, passing beneath the first front portion of the
grate is absorbed in this latter whilst the other, passing beneath the double ash
pit K L M, becomes heated at B, whence it passes to the rear half of the grate.

page_text: Of this heated air another predetermined portion is sucked through the aper-
tures of the lateral flues formed in the parts G, and is projected by means of
the diaphragm D and of the conduit' in which it terminates, throughout the
whole width of the furnace, into the comburant gases with which this air mixes.
This jet of hot air produces an energetic mingling of the gases beneath the
diaphragm and facilitates their complete combustion in passing through it in
such a manner that there passes out only gases at a high temperature free from
soot, which contribute by the lengthening of the flame to increase the direct
heating surface and consequently the vaporisation.
Suitable levers C and connecting rods D serve to raise and lower the movable
portion of the fire bridge, that is to say, to close or open the aperture beneath
the diaphragm, thus fulfilling the office of register or damper above referred to.
The utilisation of the apparatus presents no difficulty as it is arranged
immediately beneath the grate.
In the case of the boilers of locomotives and of marine boilers, the register
constitutes a separate part, the fire bridge and the diaphragm being cast in one
piece. These two applications are represented in Figures 5 and 6.
Figures 7, 8 and 9 represent a smoke consuming apparatus intended for use
with a steam generator comprising three boilers of which the operation is abso-
lutely regular, that is to say this construction is more especially applicable to
generators consuming the same quantity of fuel and supplying the same quantity
of steam.
Under the conditions above referred to, the apparatus may be simplified by
omitting the whole of the regulating mechanism, thereby increasing its fire-
resisting properties and rendering it more durable.
The improvement added to this type of apparatus for steam generators com-
prising boilers is as follows:
The fire bridge which has previously been movable is fixed, whilst it is made
higher thereby sensibly increasing the temperature of the air intended for the
grate and the diaphragm. The secondary air then passes into the side portions G,
at I thence passing through the passages I into the diaphragm.
For furnaces in which coal of very smoky quality is burned, I consider it
very necessary to mix heated air with the gases liberated from the coal before
the passage of these latter beneath the diaphragm, where they would receive a
second addition of superheated air.
An exceedingly simple device enables the smoke consuming qualities of the
apparatus to be still further increased. This device consists of prolongations of
the side portions G, at G¹, surmounted by a raised portion O in the form of a
nozzle injecting into the comburant gases in the same manner as the diaphragm,
through the lower aperture, air sufficiently heated in its serpentine passage
amongst the partitions provided for the purpose in the side portions G¹.
Figures 10, 11 and 12 illustrate the application of my invention to water tube
boilers of the Belleville, Babcock-Wilcox, Roser and other types.
In adapting the apparatus to multitubular boilers of the above named types
the fire bridge B of the ash pit K L M, and side portions G are each surmounted
by three nozzles 0 01 02 for the injection of hot air, the whole being cemented
into the walls.
The fire bridge B is in four or five pieces; it may even be formed of three
pieces only according to the width of the furnace. Each of these parts is
provided with a nozzle or injector 03 serving, in the same manner as those above
referred to, to inject hot air into the flame before this latter becomes divided
in passing through the tubes.
In this construction the diaphragm H is dispensed with and as many injectors
as are considered necessary are provided, these latter performing the office of so
many small diaphragms.
The passage of the air through the injectors or nozzles through which the
heated air. necessary for effecting complete combustion is admitted, assists in

page_text: raising the temperature of the flame and in lengthening this latter, by supplying
it with the necessary oxygen beyond the flame return and through the bundle
of boiler tubes.
The parts of the fire bridge B are cast with a part strengthened by ribs which
thus imparts all the necessary rigidity.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said
invention and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what
I claim is :-
1. In a smoke consuming apparatus adapted for use with steam generators,
the combination of a hollow fire bridge adapted to effect a preliminary heating of
the air passing through the grate, of a diaphragm through which the air is
conducted by means of two ascending tubes, said air being by this means heated
to a temperature whereby it ignites the products of combustion passing before
its lower extremity, by which the air so heated flows, reanimating the combus-
tion which would otherwise be stifled at this point for want of comburant gas,
substantially as described and illustrated by the accompanying drawings.
2. In a smoke consuming apparatus adapted for use with steam generators
comprising boilers, the division of the fire bridge into two parts, one of which is
movable in such a manner that it may be acted upon from the outside by means
of suitable levers and connecting rods; the furnace being provided with an ash
pit closed at all points excepting at a point at which the hot air is able to pass
beneath the grate, the diaphragm being divided into compartments by means of
horizontal partitions for the purpose of thoroughly distributing throughout the
entire width of the furnace the air conducted through the lateral conduits or
flues substantially as above described and illustrated by the accompanying
drawings.
3. In a smoke consuming apparatus adapted for use with steam generators
comprising several boilers, the employment of a raised portion upon the fire
bridge, which is fixed; the prolongation of the side walls and the arrangement
upon the sides so prolonged of raised portions in the form of hollow nozzles
adapted to inject hot air, substantially as above described and illustrated by the
accompanying drawings.
4. In a smoke consuming apparatus adapted for use with watertube boilers,
the arrangement in place of the diaphragm, upon the lateral walls and upon
the fire bridge, of injecting nozzles, substantially as above described and illus-
trated by the accompanying drawings
Dated this 28th day of Anna 1000
HASELTINE, LAKE & Co.,
45, Southampton Buildings, London, W.C., Agents for the Applicant.