Improvements in Fire-places for Heating Pottery, Brick, and like Kilns or Ovens, also Applicable to Glass, Metal, or other Furnaces.
Year: 1889

page_text: Date of Application, 15th May, 1889
Complete Specification Left, 15th Mr., 1890-Accepted, 26th Apr., 1890
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Fire-places for Heating Pottery, Brick, and like
Kilns or Ovens, also Applicable to Glass, Metal, or other Furnaces.
I WILLIAM HASSALL of Butt Lodge Woodville in the County of Leicester
Manufacturer, do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as follows:-
This invention has for its object further improvements in the construction of such
Fireplaces or Furnaces for heating Pottery, Brick or like Kilns or Ovens, as are
described in Specifications and Drawings filed in Her Majesty's Patent Office and for
which inventions so described therein have been granted Letters Patent dated the
14th day of October 1884 No. 13593 and the 24th day of December 1884 No. 16882
and my present invention is designed to still further increase the heating power of
such Fireplaces or Furnaces so as to render them capable of being used for heating
steel iron brass or other like metals or ores as well as to make them more effective for
the purposes herein before mentioned.
"
By means of my present improved construction of Fireplaces or Furnaces I am
enabled to generate so-called "Water Gas" from coal, coaldust or coal-slack and
water instead of from coke and steam and to burn the said "Water Gas" at a very
high temperature immediately it is produced, for the purpose of heating furnaces or
firing kilns, instead of being compelled to provide storage for the same.
And I am also enabled to raise to a very high temperature air to be used for
drying goods in pottery or other kilns or ovens or for supporting combustion in the
fireplaces or furnaces referred to by utilising the waste heat passing away from such
furnaces kilns or ovens.
It will be readily understood that by means of the invention hereinafter set forth a
considerable reduction in the cost of heating such furnaces kilns or ovens is effected
and a superior quality of goods obtained therefrom whilst a less number of articles is
spoilt in the process of heating.
In carrying out my invention I connect by means of a main flue a number of
furnaces kilns or ovens to one chimney each furnace kiln or oven being provided with
a branch flue from the said main flue.
Within such main and each branch flue I arrange an air pipe of suitable size to
convey to each furnace kiln or oven hot air for the purpose of first heating them and
afterwards of supporting combustion in their fireplaces or combustion chambers.
This air pipe and the air therein becomes intensely heated by reason of the waste heat
of the products of combustion passing along the main flue and branch flues to the
chimney.
I may provide such air pipes with suitable mechanical appliances for forcing a.
requisite quantity of air through them and may attach to such main flue and branch
flues any desirable apparatus for increasing the draught therein.
Within or underneath each furnace, kiln, or oven connected to chimney by main
flue I construct an air chamber to which the hot air pipe running through main flue
and branches is connected and in such a manner as to admit of an air pipe being laid
from it to each and every fireplace or combustion chamber pertaining to such furnace
kiln or oven.
By regulating the supply of air to the air chambers within or underneath each
furnace kiln or oven an equal and regular supply of air is afforded to each fireplace
or combustion chamber connected therewith and an even combustion and temperature
ensured therein.
I may supply hot air through the side walls of the furnaces or fireplaces from the
central air chamber which hot air impinging upon the solid fuel in the lower parts of
such furnaces or fireplaces causes it to burn at a high temperature and in the upper..

page_text: part of these furnaces or fireplaces and right across the same I may provide other air
chambers supplied with a number of small outlets through which air is passed as
required for the purpose of assisting in the perfect combustion of gases rising from
the fires. One side of this air chamber forms a wall in the furnaces or fireplaces
against which the solid fuel may be placed which as it.burns helps to maintain the
high temperature of the air chamber. In front of this last air chamber and near the
door of the furnace or fireplace I provide inlets for cold air which passing downwards
through the upper part of the fire becomes converted into carbonic oxide gas and
thence passing forwards underneath the hot air chamber and meeting the lot air
issuing therefrom is converted into carbonic acid gas and great heat is generated.
I may also use the furnaces or fireplaces constructed as described for generating
water gas in the following manner: I first make small fires in the furnaces or fire-
places in the usual way and when these fires have burnt through and are beginning to
give out heat I put fresh fuel on them and then turn on the hot air quickly causing
rapid combustion the lower part becoming incandescent. I then thoroughly saturate
à further charge of fuel with water and immediately place it on the top of the previous
charge. The furnaces or fireplaces being arranged on the downdraught principle the
water contained in the second charge is converted into steam which is compelled by
the hot air chamber placed across the furnace or fireplace (kept low down for this
purpose) to first pass through the incandescent fuel in the lower part thereof so
becoming decomposed into its elements hydrogen and oxygen the oxygen being con-
verted into carbonic oxide. The resulting gaseous mixture passing forward in a
highly heated state underneath the air chamber referred to mixes with the heated air
issuing therefrom complete combustion of the gases ensues and intense heat is
generated in close proximity to the goods, metals, ores or the like to be heated.
I may modify the construction of the fireplaces or combustion chambers of the
furnaces kilns or ovens so as to adapt them to the different methods of forming the
said furnaces kilns or ovens according to the varying requirements of different goods,
metals, or ores to be heated but in all such modifications I blow up the lower part of
the fires by means of air introduced through the side walls of the different fireplaces
under pressure or otherwise suitable inlets for the admission of air are also provided
in the upper parts of the furnaces to effect perfect combustion of the gases rising from
the fires.
.
By means of suitable appliances the whole of the exterior air inlets are brought
únder control and the supply of air to the respective parts of the fireplaces or
combustion chambers is regulated.
Dated this 15th day of May 1889
POPPLEWELL & Co.,
Agents for the Applicant.
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Fire-places for Heating Pottery, Brick, and like
Kilns or Ovens, also Applicable to Glass, Metal, or other Furnaces.
I WILLIAM HASSALL of Buit Lodge Woodville in the County of Leicester
Manufacturer 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:-.
This invention has for its object further improvements in the construction of such
Fireplaces or Furnaces for heating pottery brick or like kilns or ovens as are
described in specifications and drawings filed in Her Majesty's Patent Office and for
which inventions so described therein I have been granted Letters Patent dated the
14th day of October 1884 No. 13:03 and the 24th day of December 1884
No. 16882 and my present invention is designed to still further increase the heating
power of such Fireplaces or Furnaces so as to render thein capable of being used
for heating sieel iron brass or other metals and ores as well as to make them more.
effective for the purposes hereinbefore mentioned.

page_text: By means of my present improved construction of Fireplaces or Furnaces I am
enabled to generate so called" Water Gas" from coal coal dust coal slack and water
instead of from coke and steam and to burn the said water gas at a very high
temperature immediately it is produced for the purpose of heating furnaces or firing
3. kilns instead of being compelled to provide storage for the same. And I am also
**enabled to raise air to a very high temperature to be used for drying goods in pottery
or other kilns or ovens and for supporting combustion in the Fireplaces or Furnaces
referred to by utilizing the waste heat passing away from such furnaces kilns
or ovens.
It will be readily understood that by means of the invention hereinafter set forth
a considerable reduction in the cost of heating such furnaces kilns or ovens is effected
and a superior quality of goods obtained therefrom while a less number of articles is
spoilt in the process of heating.
7:
In describing the method of working my invention I shall refer to the accom-
5. panying six sheets of drawings and to the Figures and Letters of reference thereon
which letters of reference where possible indicate corresponding parts on the several
figures and sheets.
"
Figure 1 shows a general arrangement of a group of kilns working according to
my invention and in this said arrangement I connects by means of a main flue A a
O number of furnaces kilns or ovens B to one chimney each furnace kiln or oven B
being provided with a branch flue D connected to the said main flue A.
Within this main flue A and each branch D.I arrange an air pipe E of suitable
size to convey to each furnace kiln or oven hot air for the purposes of first heating
them to some extent and afterwards supporting combustion in their fireplaces or
5 combustion chambers the air pipe E and the air therein becoming-heated by reason
of the waste heat of the products of combustion from any of the group of kilns passing
along the main flue A to the chimney C. The air is introduced from the atmosphere
at any convenient point, say F, by means of a valve or other suitable arrangement or
device. may use mechanical devices for: forcing driving or pumping air through
0 these pipes E or for increasing the draught therein.
On Sheet 2 Figure 2 shows a plan and Figure 3 a part section of a kiln constructed
to be worked according to my invention and within or underneath each of such
furnaces kilns or ovens which are connected to the common chimney. C by main
flue A before described I construct a central air. chamber G to which the hot air
5 pipe E (running through main flue A and to each kiln furnace or oven) is connected
delivering a portion of its contents therein and from this central-chamber Gradiate
other air pipes H to each and every fireplace or combustion chamber Jpertaining to
such kiln furnace or oven so gradually heating, the same for drying purposes or
supplying air for increasing combustion.
+
0 By regulating the supply of air to the air-chambers G (by means of a valve or other
device at a desirable point say K) within or underneath each furnace kiln or oven an
equal and regular supply of air is afforded to each fireplace or combustion chamber J
connected therewith and an even combustion and temperature ensured therein.
1
1
A modification of my invention may be applied to single kilns having each a
5 number of fire holes or combustion chambers.in which case air is introduced from the
atmosphere at a point say through a valve or other device so that when the fires
have been a short time in operation in the said fire holes or combustion chambers.]
and the products of such combustion are passing off through flues to the chimney. the
air introduced at point F and carried through air pipe E to central chamber G
0 becomes heated "and is utilized as previously described in reference to the grouped
kilns: .
f
Figures 4 and 5 (Sheet 3) show a method of supplying hot air through the side
walls of the furnaces or fireplaces such hot air being conducted from central
chamber G by Fadiating pipes H and flues inside walls H connected: therewith;
5 which hot air impinging, on the fuel in the slower parts M of such furnaces or fire-
places causes said:fuel to burn atoa high temperature.

page_text: In the upper part of these furnaces or fireplaces and right across the same
provide other air chambers N having "small outlets N' into the fireplaces or combus-
tion chambers proper. This air chauiber N is supplied with air from the atmosphere
by means of an inlet with valve on other device at P, and this air issuing through
outlets N assists in perfecting the combustion of gases rising from the fires. One
side of the air chamber N forms a wall against the face of which the fuel máy come
in contact and thus help to maintain the high temperature of the said air
chamber N.
Part of the atmospheric air introduced at P may pass directly through inlets N2 on
to the top of the fuel and become converted into carbonic oxide gas as it passes
downwards through the fuel it then passes forwards underneath hot air chamber N
and meeting the hot air issuing therefrom through outlets N' is converted into carbonic
acid gas and great heat generated.
Figures 6 and 7 (Sheet 3) show another arrangement by which the air from central
chamber G is introduced directly into air chamber N'by pipes H and H' atmospheric
air being introduced into the combustion chambers at point. O as well as at point P
before described..
Figures 8 and 9 (Sheet 4) show an arrangement of fire holes by which air is
delivered into the fire holes or combustion chambers directly from the atmosphere to
the cheeks L instead of such being introduced thereto from central chamber G.
Figures 10 and 11 (Sheet 4) show another construction of fire holes or combustion
chambers in which air passes from inlet to cheeks L and also from inlet P to
uppermost side holes R and then through perforations Q in solid bridge.
Figures 12 and 13 (Sheet 5) show a modification of construction shown in
Figures 10 and 11 (Sheet 4) by which the air passes from central air chamber G to
feed the cheeks Land from top inlet P' to top side air holes R and thence through
perforations Qin solid bridge.
Figure 14 (Sheet 5) is an elevation showing front of a combustion chamber.or
fire bole with air inlets but I may vary the number and position of such, air inlets
according to the various methods of constructing my kilns.
Figures 15 and 16 (Sheet 6) show an application of my invention to a furnace for
heating metals ores and the like and it will be seen that the arrangement of flues and
hot air pipes is practically the same in effect as that described hereinbefore and
relating to pottery kilns and ovens.
The action of this furnace is as follows: the fire being lighted on bars V and the
'products of combustion commencing to pass through heating chamber W to flue A
and thence to the chimney the atmospheric air introduced at point Finto pipe E is
gradually heated this air then passes to central chamber G or to air 'chamber N or to
both and is utilized as before described with reference to Figures 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12
and 13 air being also introduced to combustion chamber S through inlets U in front
of the same.
. Suitable holes for pricking the fires such as X are provided, and fresh fuel may be
supplied through hopper T.
'I may also use the furnaces or fireplaces constructed as described for generating
water gas in the following manner: I first make small fires in the furnaces or fire-
places in the usual way and when these fires have, burnt through and are beginning to
give out heat I put fresh fuel on them and then turn on the hot air quickly causing
rapid combustion the lower part becoming incandescent. I then thoroughly saturate
a further charge of fuel with water and immediately place it upon the top of the
previous charge and this operation is repeated at intervals as may be required. The
furnaces or fireplaces being arranged on the down-draught principle the water con-
tained in the second charge is converted into steam which is compelled by the hot air
chamber placed across the furnace or fireplace (kept low-down for this purpose) to
first pass through the incandescent fuel in the lower part thereof so becoming
decomposed into its elements-hydrogen and oxygen the oxygen being converted into
carbonic oxide. The resulting gaseous mixture passing forward in a highly heated

page_text: state underneath the air chambers referred to mixes with the heated air issuing there-
from complete combustion of the gases ensues and intense heat is generated in close
proximity to the goods ores metals or the like to be heated.
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. In kilns for heating pottery, earthenware bricks and the like and in furnaces for
hoating metals ores and for analogous purposes the use or employment of a central
air chamber such as G from which hot air is introduced into the fireplaces or
combustion chambers substantially as and for the purposes described.
2. The general arrangement of kilns, flues hot air pipes regulating devices and
inlets for atmospheric air substantially as herein described and as illustrated by
Figures 1, 2, and 3 on Sheets 1 and 2 of the accompanying drawings.
3. The construction and arrangement of fire holes or combustion chambers for kilus
or ovens substantially as herein described and as illustrated by Figures 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9,
10, 11, 12, 13 and 14 on Sheets 3, 4, and 5 of the accompanying drawings.
4. The construction and arrangement of furnaces for heating metals ores and the
like substantially as described and illustrated by Figures 15 and 16 on Sheet 6 of the
accompanying drawings.
Dated this 15th day of March 1890
POPPLEWELL & Co.,
17 & 18, Southampton Buildings, London, W.C., Agents for the Applicant.