An Improved Method of Extracting Moisture from Peat and such like Materials, and Apparatus therefor.
Year: 1895

page_text: Date of Application, 3'st July, 1895
Complete Specification Left, 22nd May, 1896-Accepted, 27th June, 1896
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
An Improved Method of Extracting Moisture from Peat and such
like Materials, and Apparatus therefor.
I OSWALD ROSE of 137 Stockwell Park Road Brixton in the County of
Surrey Engineer do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as
follows:-
The object of my invention is to provide an improved method of and apparatus
for extracting moisture or so much thereof as is practicable from peat and such
like materials that hold moisture in an expeditious and effective manner.
To carry out this object I make of metal plates or other materials a chamber of
the desired dimensions and preferably of a cylindrical shape which is supported in
a vertical position most conveniently by suitable standards or columns or other
supports. The top of this chamber is tightly closed while on the bottom thereof
is fitted the frustrum of a cone invertedly which corresponds in diameter with the
chamber. In the chamber are supported by suitable brackets two or more vertical
shafts of which one is preferably placed centrally therein while the others
preferably three in number can be placed concentrically round such central one
and these shafts pass out through stuffing boxes provided therefor in the top cover
of the chamber and outside the chamber being if desired again supported by
brackets are geared together in such wise that when the central shaft is revolved
the other shafts are revolved in a contrary direction at a greater speed. On the
shafts inside the chamber are fitted a number of blades preferably arranged
alternately which blades are of such lengths that those on the central shaft closely
approach the other shafts while those on these other shafts closely approach the
walls of the chamber whereby they overlap each other. Each of the shafts
reaches downwards in the chamber so far as the conical bottom thereof allows
blades here too being similarly fitted on the shafts. To and on the top cover of
the chamber is fitted an hopper through which the material to be treated can be
fed into the chamber and when this material is peat or whenever desired a pipe or
passage for compressed air or air under pressure is also provided. The bottom of
the chamber or that is to say the smaller end of the frustrum of a cone is provided
with a suitable strainer which can allow the exit of the liquid or moisture which
strainer can very conveniently be a plate or frame having a number of holes
covered by canvas or other filtering material or can be of any ordinary and suitable
type that can duly and properly close this bottom to the exit of the solid matter
in the chamber and this strainer can be mounted on the end of a screwed rod
which passes through and engages a carriage running on rails beneath by which
screwed rod it can be forced home up to its seat or retired downwards therefrom
when by its carriage it can be run out of the way. When the material to be
treated is peat or whenever desired it may be very convenient to create one or
two or more apertures in the walls of the chamber and especially of the conical
bottom thereof which apertures also would be provided with strainers and whereover
could be fitted hoods connected by pipes with an exhaust pump or the like.
The action is as follows. The peat as it comes from the bog can be stored in a
pit or the other material is suitably stored near and can be duly elevated and fed
into the chamber through the hopper and if necessary forced thereinto.
shafts are revolved by any power through any gearing at the desired speeds and
The

page_text: then at the proper time if desired the compressed air can be admitted into the
chamber and the effect of the mastication of the material by the revolving blades
assisted it may be by the compressed air and further aided it may be by the
exhaust will be to extract a large amount of the moisture held in and by the
material and cause it to flow out through the strainers to waste or if desired to be
further treated. When this effect has been produced so far as is practicable the
bottom of the chamber can be opened and the contents thereof allowed or caused
to fall thereout and a fresh charge can be introduced and so on.
As is aforesaid the cylindrical chamber is preferably vertical and in this case as
also in others when compressed air is to be used the planes of the blades can
conveniently be at right angles to the shafts but when this chamber is inclined or
horizontal as also whenever desired these planes of the blades may be inclined to
the lines of the shafts whereby these blades would form portions of screw threads
around such shafts of the desired pitch or pitches.
The chamber also is preferably cylindrical but it may also be of any other
desired shape.
.
The conical bottom or end of the chamber can when desired be dispensed with
and this bottom or end may be made of any other shape the strainer being made
accordingly.
Such a number of shafts can be fitted and they can be so arranged as may be
convenient having regard to the size and shape of the chamber and such a number
of blades and so arranged can be fitted on the shafts as may be expedient having
regard to the material that is to be treated in which respects also the speeds at
which the shafts revolve can be regulated.
The tight cover of the chamber with the stuffing boxes can also when desired
be dispensed with but in this case neither compressed air nor the exhaust could
well or profitably be used.
It is obvious that when compressed air is to be used the hopper must be so fitted
in any usual manner that it could be tightly closed after the chamber has been
charged but before the compressed air is admitted thereinto.
Dated this 31st day of July 1895.
Au Improved Method of Extracting Moisture from Peat and such.
like Materials, and Apparatus therefor.
I OSWALD ROSE of 137 Stockwell Park Road Brixton in the County of
Surrey 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 :-
The object of this my invention is to provide an improved method of extracting
moisture from peat and such like materials that hold moisture or so much thereof
as is reasonably practicable which especially in the case of peat may be a very
large proportion of the total quantity so held and to provide an efficient and
convenient apparatus wherein to effect this process in an expeditious and effective
manner.
In order the more clearly to explain this my invention and in what manner the
same is to be performed I refer to the accompanying drawings wherein I have
shewn my apparatus in and according to an extremely convenient and highly
efficient style and manner of construction and fitment and arrangement and
Figure 1 is an elevation of the apparatus Figure 2 is a longitudinal section of the
same and Figure 3 is a plan of the same.

page_text: A chamber A is made of metal plates or other suitable material in any usual
and convenient manner and of any desired dimensions and preferably of a cylindrical
shape which chamber A is supported it may be in a vertical position by suitable
columns A or other supports erected on an appropriate foundation B. The top of
this chamber A is tightly closed by a cover C while on the bottom thereof is
preferably fitted invertedly the frustrum of a cone D the larger end whereof
corresponds with and is attached to the open bottom of the chamber A and the
smaller end whereof is an open mouth D. Lengthwise in the chamber A are
arranged in any suitable manner a desired number of it may be vertical and
parallel shafts and I would state that I consider that the four shafts E shewn in
the drawings are the most convenient the most efficient and produce the best results
of which shafts one shaft E¹ is placed centrally or thereabouts in the chamber A
while the other three shafts E are arranged concentrically and symmetrically
therearound. The lower ends of these shafts E can be supported inside the
chamber A in and by a suitable and ordinary bracket D' placed just above the
cone D while the upper ends thereof through appropriate and usual glands or
stuffing boxes C provided therefor in and with the cover C pass out to and can be
supported in another suitable and ordinary bracket F placed above the chamber A
and fitted on standards F' erected on such chamber A or elsewhere. These
shafts E are geared together by and through any customary appliances in such
wise that they can all be revolved together it may perhaps preferably be in opposite
directions and at the same or at different speeds and I would state that I consider
that the train of gearing shewn in the drawings is most appropriate for this
purpose according to which any suitable power can be applied through and by
bands or other customary appliances to an overhead horizontal shaft H mounted on
the standards F1 and through the ordinary spur toothed-wheels H' transmitted
therefrom to the central shaft E' which again gears through the usual toothed-
wheels G with all the surrounding shafts E2 and these wheels G plainly can be of
any desired relative and proportionate diameters to vary the speeds of the
respective shafts E. For a purpose that will hereinafter be explained I would
state that I consider that it is very generally preferable to fit the proper spur
toothed-wheel H¹ and the proper toothed-wheel G on the central shaft E' not
rigidly connected thereto and thereon but to and on a sleeve G' loosely mounted
on such shaft E' and to provide a suitable and ordinary sliding clutch G2
appropriately mounted on this shaft E' which clutch G2 can be operated in the
usual or other manner by a lever K properly mounted therefor and actuated by a
screwed rod K in the customary or other manner to cause this clutch G² to
engage the loose sleeve G' whereby the shaft E¹ can when desired be caused to
revolve with this sleeve G₁and with the wheels G and H¹ thereon.. On the
shafts E inside the chamber A are fitted a desired number of blades L in and by
any convenient and usual manner and mode of attachment and fitment and these
blades L are preferably arranged on such shafts E alternately or in due sequence
both in respect of all the blades on each shaft and also in respect of all the blades
on the other shafts so that all these blades will when the shafts are revolved pass
by and between each other in an alternative and interlacing manner and these
blades L are made of such lengths that those on the central shaft E' will closely
approach the surrounding shafts E2 while those on the shafts E2 will closely approach
the walls of the chamber A and also it may be the central shaft E' whereby these
blades L will also overlap each other. The blades L are made of any desired
shapes and in any suitable styles and the planes of all the blades L may be at right
angles to the lines of the shafts E or may be all inclined to the lines of such
shafts E so that they form portions of screw threads therearound of any desired
pitch or pitches but it will be perhaps very generally most convenient with a view
to the greater efficiency of this apparatus and especially when the central shaft E¹
is provided with a loose sleeve G₁ and a clutch. G² as is herein before described to
fit the blades L' on the shafts E2 at right angles to the lines of such shafts E2 and

page_text: to fit the blades L' on the shaft E' inclined to the line of such shaft E¹ and forming
portions of a screw thread or of screw threads therearound of the desired pitch or
pitches. The shafts E2 may preferably terminate at and in or just below the
bracket D but the central shaft E' would be prolonged downwards into the conical
end D of the chamber A on which prolongation longer and larger blades L³ would be
fitted in the same manner and of a corresponding or complementary size and shape
and after the same style as are the other blades L' on this shaft E. To and on the
cover C is fitted an hopper or such like appliance or therein and therethrough is
made an aperture M either of which is so fitted in any usual and convenient
manner that it can when desired be tightly closed and by and through which the
peat or other material that is to be treated in this apparatus can be fed into the
chamber A and in and through this cover C is also fitted a pipe or passage
N
wherethrough compressed air or air under pressure can be delivered into the
chamber A. The extreme end or bottom of the chamber A that is to say the open
mouth D2 of the conical end D thereof is provided with a suitable valve P which
can close the same but this valve P is perforated or is otherwise so constructed in
any suitable and customary manner and is provided with such canvas or other
filtering material or is otherwise so fitted and formed that it acts as &
strainer and while it will and docs duly and properly close this mouth D
against the exit of any solid matter from the chamber A it will allow the exit
therefrom of any liquid or moisture. This strainer valve P can be mounted on
the end of a screwed rod R which is properly carried on and by a carriage or
frame S running on rails S' laid on the foundation B or elsewhere under the
chamber A. by which screwed rod R this valve P can in the customary manner be
forced home upwards on its seat in the mouth D2 and also can be retired down-
wards therefrom when the carriage S with this valve P can be run out of the
way. It will be perhaps very generally most convenient especially in view of the
delivery of air under pressure into the chamber A to create in the walls of
the conical end D of the same one or more apertures T preferably perhaps
three in number each of which apertures T is provided with a similar valve P
likewise so constructed and fitted as to act as a strainer in manner as is herein-
before described to similarly close the aperture T against the exit of any solid
matter from the chamber A and allow the exit therefrom of any liquid or moisture.
On and over each aperture T is preferably fitted in any usual and convenient
manner an hood V which could as is customary retain the strainer valve Pin its
place and would preferably be connected by and through pipes-or-otherwise with
an exhaust pump W made and fitted in-any-ordinary or other manner and placed
on the foundation-B-or elsewhere in a convenient position therefor which pump W
would perhaps preferably be driven from and by an eccentric X or it may be a
crank fitted therefor on the overhead horizontal shaft H or otherwise in any
convenient and usual manner.
The action of this apparatus when made and fitted and arranged as is
hereinbefore described and as is shewn in the accompanying drawings and
the best method of working the same when peat is to be treated therein are as
follows.
The peat as it comes from the bog can be stored in a pit near this apparatus if it
may be expedient so to do and when required for treatment can be duly elevated
and fed into the chamber A through the hopper or aperture M and if necessary
forced thereinto in any suitable and ordinary manner until the same is properly
full and contains the desired charge when this hopper or aperture M is closed.
The clutch G2 is so arranged that the shaft E' is loose and then the shaft H is
revolved and through the geared wheels H' and G causes the shafts E also to
revolve at the arranged for speeds while the shaft E¹ is stationary and at the
proper time soon after this revolution has been so begun air under pressure is
delivered into the chamber A through the pipe N being provided in and by any
usual and convenient apparatus or machine or otherwise. The blades L2 on the

page_text: revolving shafts E then properly and thoroughly divide and cut up the peat to
liberate the liquid or moisture held therein and thereby and this operation is the
more effectually performed by reason of the interlacing and overlapping of these
blades L while as the revolving blades L2 are as is herein before stated at right
angles to the lines of the shafts E2 and the blades L' that are inclined to the liue
of the shaft E are stationary there will be no tendency to force the peat down-
wards and no great influence to induce the peat downwards towards the lower end
of the chamber A and therefore it can be treated by these revolving blades L2
and by the stationary blades L' practically so long as may be desired. The
effect of this thorough mastication of the peat assisted as it is by the air under
pressure that is being delivered into the chamber A and further aided as it may
be and generally will be by the action of the exhaust pump W which obviously
can be working at the same time will be that a very large proportion of the liquid
or moisture held in and by the peat will be extracted therefrom and caused to flow
out of the chamber A through the strainer valve P and particularly through the
strainer valves P¹ which are in communication with the exhaust pump W when
it may run to waste or may be collected if desired in a tank or otherwise for
further treatment as may be required. When this treatment has been continued
so long as may be deemed expedient and when this effect has been produced
to such an extent as may be practicable or convenient the bottom of the
chamber A is opened by retiring the strainer valve P downwards from its seat
in the mouth D2 and running the carriage S thereof out of the way when a truck
or other receptacle can be run directly under this open mouth D2 of the chamber A
on the same or other rails St. The clutch G2 is then made to lock the shaft E¹
and cause it to revolve with the other shafts E2 but in a contrary direction and
the screw blades L' on this shaft E' will catch the masticated peat from the
blades L² on the shafts E2 and force it downwards and being aided by the screw
blades L3 out of the open mouth D² of the chamber A into the receptacle below
which when fitted can be removed and if necessary replaced by another one and
so on until all the masticated peat has been ejected from the chamber A. The
chamber can then again be closed at its lower end and opened at its upper end
a fresh charge can be fed thereinto and the cycle of operations hereinbefore
described can be repeated and so on.
I have thus described and I have shewn in the accompanying drawings as is
bereinbefore stated what I consider to be the best and most efficient and convenient
style and manner and method of constructing and fitting and arranging and
working this my apparatus for extracting moisture from peat and such like
materials but as is indeed sufficiently obvious I do in no wise limit myself exactly
and precisely thereto for many and various alterations and modifications may be
made in the same as may be desired in each particular case.
For example although the chamber is preferably cylindrical it need not necessarily
be always and on all occasions of such a shape but it may when desired be made of
any other suitable shape.
Again the chamber need not necessarily be always and on all occasions vertical
but when it is inclined and even it may be horizontal or nearly so it will generally
be more convenient that all the blades on all the shafts should be inclined to the
lines of such shafts and form portions of screw threads therearound or perhaps it
may be sometimes even still more convenient that some of the blades should be at
right angles while others should be inclined to the lines of these shafts.
Again when the chamber is vertical or nearly so all the blades on all the shafts
may be at right angles to the lines of such shafts except perhaps sometimes the
longer and larger blades on the prolongation of the central shaft in the conical exit
end of the chamber in which case the central shaft may be always and at all times
revolved with the other shafts and no connecting and disconnecting or clutching
appliances would necessarily be provided.
Again the chamber need not necessarily and in all cases have a conical exit end

page_text: but a similar open mouth provided in the same manner with a strainer valve may
be similarly made in the flat or other closed exit end of the chamber in which case
the prolongation of the central shaft would be dispensed with and the apertures
with their strainer valves hoods and other appliances could be similarly made and
fitted in and to the walls of the chamber near this flat or other exit end thereof or
it may even be in such flat or other exit end itself.
Again these side apertures whether in the walls of the conical end of the chamber
or in the walls of the chamber itself need not necessarily and in all cases be provided
with hoods and connected with an exhaust pump although it is obvious that where
it is possible so to do this use of an exhaust pump must add considerably to the
efficiency and effectiveness of the apparatus and the speed at which the peat can
be treated therein.
Again these side apertures need not necessarily and in all cases be provided at
all but might be dispensed with and the chamber would only have an open mouth
of the desired size either in the conical or in the flat or other exit end of the same
to allow the exit from the chamber first of the liquid or moisture and then on the
removal of the strainer valve of the solid matter but in this case there would
not be much practical advantage in providing the conical exit end for the
chamber.
Again although four shafts are as a general rule and in the majority of cases the
most efficient and effective and therefore preferable any other desired number of
shafts may similarly be provided such a number of shafts being used and such a
number of blades of such shapes and sizes being in such wise and in such positions.
fitted on each shaft as may in each particular case be desired.
This apparatus herein before described and with or without these alterations and
modifications herein before stated or any of them may be made and employed and
used as may be deemed to be desirable or expedient or necessary in each particular
case having regard to the size and shape of the chamber the particular nature and
condition of the peat that is to be treated therein the power that is to be used to
.drive the apparatus and the speed at which the shafts are to be revolved and the
other surrounding circumstances.
In the same manner and in and by the same apparatus suchlike materials other
than peat that similarly hold moisture can obviously be treated for the same
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 method of and apparatus for extracting moisture from peat
and suchlike materials substantially as hereinbefore described and set forth.
2. A chamber A a tight cover C on the one end of the chamber A an hopper or
aperture M in the cover C for the introduction of peat and the like into the
chamber A a pipe N in the cover C for the introduction of air under pressure into
the chamber A an open mouth D2 in the other end of the chamber A and a strainer
valve P in the open mouth D2 in combination with longitudinal shafts E in the
chamber A and interlacing and overlapping blades L on the shafts E. means being
provided for revolving the shafts E at the desired speeds and in the desired
directions substantially as and for the purpose herein before described and declared.
3. A chamber A a tight cover C on the one end thereof having an aperture M
a frustrum of a cone D on the other end thereof having an open mouth D² and
apertures T in its walls and strainer valves P and PI in such mouth D2 and
apertures T in combination with shafts E in the chamber A carrying blades L
means being provided for introducing air under pressure into the chamber A
through the cover C and for exhausting it therefrom through the apertures T and
for revolving the shafts E substantially as and for the purpose hereinbefore
described and declared.

page_text: 4. The arrangement and combination of parts and appliances constituting my
apparatus for extracting moisture from peat and suchlike materials substantially
as hereinbefore described and shewn in the accompanying drawings.
Dated this 22nd day of May 1896.
HART & Co.,
168, Fleet Street, London, E.C., Agents.