A NEW METHOD OF OBTAINING HEAT AND LIGHT, AND ITS VARIOUS APPLI- CATIONS, AND IN APPARATUS CONNECTED THEREWITH
Year: 1868

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by Henri Adolphe Archereau at
the Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on
the 11th April 1868.
1, HENRI. ADOLPHE ARCHEREAU, of 29, Boulevart St. Martin, in
Paris, Chemist, do hereby declare the nature of the said Invention
for A NEW METHOD OF OBTAINING HEAT AND LIGHT, AND ITS VARIOUS APPLI-
CATIONS, AND IN APPARATUS CONNECTED THEREWITH," to be as follows:-
My Invention relates to a new mode of producing and applying light
and heat from gases obtained by the mixture of inflammable gases and
atmospheric air, or other agents used to assist combustion supplied under
pressure in various liquids or liquetiable pulverized or viscous matters.
Many means have been employed from time to time for producing the
combustion of inflammable gases, from which will select the two
following-In a small hollow cylinder of bronge and of considerable
thickness, mixtures of pure hydrogen and oxygen have been compressed
to 20 atinospheres in the exaci proportions for producing water for the
purpose of proving the heating power of hydrogen, and the high
temperature obtained. The gases thus compressed might without danger

page_text: to the operator be ignited within the apparatus itself, which is con-
structed to resist the great expansive force of the steam produced at
the moment of the explosion. By means of a long tube adapted to the
above apparatus and terminating in a platinum burner, having several
diaphragms of wire gauze placed in the supply pipe of the explosive
mixture it has been found possible, although with some difficulty, to
ignite and burn continuously in the open air a portion of the mixed
gases contained in the cylinder. It was only possible however to burn
in this manner a portion of the explosive mixture of oxygen and
hydrogen, for notwithstanding the cooling properties of the wire gauze
diaphragms, when the pressure in the cylinder falls too low the flame
at the platinum burner travels in an inverse direction to the slower
passage of the mixed gases and instantaneously produces an explosion
in the cylinder in which nothing remains but the water produced by
the condensation of the steam. Hydrogen has also been replaced
by oxide of carbon, and it is evident that inflammable gases, such as
proto-carbonated hydrogen or bi-carbonated hydrogen may also be
successsfully employed in the same apparatus, either in combination
with pure oxygen, atmospheric air, or other agent of combustion.
According to a second process an arrangement of apparatus has been
employed by means of which very high temperatures have been obtained
by the combustion of lighting gas or other inflammable gases by means
of the oxygen of the air alone. It has been shown that when the said
gas is passed through a bent tube of about an inch in diameter and
about 12 or 15 inches in length, by means of a current of compressed
air at
pressure of 8 to 20 inches of water, so as to intimately mix
the air and the inflammable gas in such proportions, that neither the
oxygen of the air nor the gas which combines therewith in combustion
is in excess, the heat produced is not only capable of melting the purest
wrought iron, but also sullicient under favorable conditions to fuse
platinum wire.
It has been ascertained that the rate of combustion of
the explosive mixtures of atmospheric air and combustible gas employed
is less than 20 feet per second, and it has hence been concluded that
it is possible to consume continuously at the burner of the apparatus
the above mentioned mixtures, provided they circulate in the supply
tubes at a greater speed than 20 feet per second.
By a modification of the above apparatus considerable quantities of
platinum have been successfully melted, the improvement consisting

page_text: in the employment of a jet of compressed air at a pressure of one
atmosphere above that of the air, to draw in a great portion of the
air to be mixed with the inflammable gas, and also serving as a vehicle
for the gas itself. In both these apparatus however the pressure at the
burner is always very weak and does not exceed S inches in height of
water, as this pressure is produced solely by the action of the incoming
current of compressed air on the inflammable
be
obtained either from the mains or from a gasometer or reservoir at a
low pressure.
gas,
which
may
My Invention, as will be scen, is somewhat similar to the above
mentioned processes, but differs entirely from them in many respects,
and more especially in the manner of applying the jets, which are thus
rendered utilizable for various purposes under high pressures. I strongly
compress, and constantly if necessary, to a great number of atmospheres
the inflammable and other gases, either in one or more receivers, care
being taken to maintain by means of pumps or other apparatus working
continuously an equal, regular, and sufficient pressure in the cylinders
or receivers to produce in the pipe or combustion apparatus a very rapid
and constant flow of the explosive mixed gases, which mixture, when
separate receivers are employed for the air and inflammable gases is
produced by introducing them simultaneously into tubes of sinuous form,
where they are mixed before passing to the burners for consumption
in regulated proportions; so that all the inflammable gas will be burnt,
but without any excess or deficiency of atmospheric air or other car-
buretting agent for producing combustion, especially when the flame is
required to be of the highest possible temperature.
I have mentioned above that I produce a very rapid flow of the
mixture which is necessary for the success of my operation. The more
energetic acting agents of combustion, such as pure oxygen and the
protoxide of azote, require to flow at much higher rates of speed. As
my improved process is carried on at a high pressure the rate of
combustion will be much greater, and will necessitate a more rapid flow
of the explosive matters than that found sufficient when the combustion
takes place at the atmospheric pressure. Instead of employing the
apparatus first described, which can only act for a few moments and
with irregular and decreasing pressures, I substitute one
receivers, in which I maintain by means of pumps or other suitable
apparatus during the time necessary for the operations the pressure
or more

page_text: required to produce a flow sufficiently rapid to feed the burners, which
differ from those before mentioned by the constant pressure (always
maintained at the same point), and the multiplicity of the compressed:
mixtures, as well as in the nature of their applications as will be herein-
after explained.
My improved process, which is distinguished by the high pressures
constantly maintained of the different kinds of inflammable and other
gases, compressed either separately or otherwise in receptacles intended.
to regulate the action of the pumps, permits of the production of a
great variety of jets by the combined use of all kinds of inflammable
and other gases and vapors, suitably mixed and afterwards ignited and
consumed in a continuous manner, even under the pressures of thick
layers of liquefiable, pulverized, or viscous matters, which would have
more or less entirely prevented the emission of the jets by either of the
processes first herein described. Thus by applying a sufficiently high
and constant pressure to all inflammable gases mixed in the proper
proportions 1 obtain the desired result, which consists in causing the
jets of my improved apparatus to penetrate all obstacles dependent on
the nature of the liquid, liquefiable, pulverulent, or viscous matters.
They may be employed to act with advantage in the midst of said
matters at any depth in a continuous manner for a length of time, so
as to produce either heat, chemical or mechanical action, or light;
according to the matters treated or employed and the results desired,
and also according to the position in which the jets are employed, and
the heating, chemical or mechanical power of the said jets, which may
at any time be augmented or diminished, and otherwise modified or
changed according to the exigencies of the operations and the result to
be attained.
As I wish to extend the use of my process as much as possible I
will proceed to point out its various applications in a general manner.
By my process I am enabled to produce jets or flames generally of
very high temperature in the midst of various substances, metallic
or non-metallic, compound or simple, and even under very high
pressure, as these jets are capable of being maintained under the
heaviest charges of material with continuous action and great regularity
of effect. The simplest mode of applying these jets for the purpose
of utilizing their heat and mechanical action only consists in employing
them for the fusion of those metals which by reason of their chemical

page_text: •
nature will not combine at any temperature.with the chemical elements.
of the flames produced by the mixtures of, inflammable gases, such,
as pure hydrogen, carbonated hydrogen, or oxide of carbon, with,
either the oxygen of the atmosphere, or pure oxygen, or with pro-
toxide of azote. For this purpose I introduce into an apparatus
similar to that represented at Figure 1. of the Drawings a certain
quantity of melted platinum. As soon as this, metal is poured into the
apparatus it ignites the explosive mixture or mixtures which are
suddenly introduced at the same moment by means of numerous
vertical. tubes placed inside the bottom of the oscillating crucible,..as
represented in the Drawing. This apparatus is made fire proof.
withstand higher temperatures than that of the melting point of
platinum, and the jets or flames from the numerous orifices or tubes
being of a much higher temperature than the melting point of this
metal it will remain in a liquid condition and will be continually
penetrated by the jets so as to greatly increase its temperature....In
this bath of melted platinum 1 may introduce solid platinum which
will be very readily melted, and as the apparatus is mounted on
trunnions the liquid metal may be readily poured out either wholly
or in part into moulds or other suitable receptacles, care must be
taken to retain a certain quantity of the melted metal at the bottom
of the apparatus when it is desired to continue the melting of the
platinum after having poured out a portion of that contained,
which precaution is necessary to maintain the jets constantly ignited.
This process is applicable to all metals, the chemical nature of which
does not allow of their combination with the elements of the jets.
DESCRIPTION OF THE APPARATUS SHOWN AT FIGURES 1 AND 2.
", crucible of fire-clay of great thickness, in which is placed the
melted platinum or other metal. This crucible is provided with two
trunnions b, c, so as to permit of its oscillation; oue of these trunnions
c is joined to and communicates with the pipe d for introducing the
mixture of inflammable and other gases. e, chamber or false bottom
of the crucible a, from which lead up the small ducts or tubes f for
bringing the jets of mixed gasses in contact with the under side of
the metal in the crucible. g, pipe communicating with the reservoir
of compressed inflammable, gas and furnished with a tap h. i, pipe
.communicating with the reservoir containing the compressed gas to
aid the combustion, also furnished with a tap j. These two pipes g

page_text: and i are united at %, at which point the mixture of the inflammable and
.otliër gases; is effected. "In order to render this mixture more complete
the gases are passed through a zig-zag pipe - before entering the
crucible. A tap m placed on pipe d opens or cuts off the supply of
mixed gases to the crucible.
E
It is to be understood that this' apparatus serves merely to describe
the mode of carrying out my Invention, and may be modified in
form, dimensions, and arrangement. I also employ this mode for
effecting the simple fusion of various refractory undecomposable and
non-metallic substances, such as alumina either alone or combined 1
with certain substances and in general all minerals or chemical
substances capable of melting without being decomposed by the jets.
the same
UTILIZING THE HEAT COMBINED WITH THE CHEMICAL AND
MECHANICAL ACTION OF THE JETS."
The widest application of my process consists in the utilization
of the calorific and mechanical action of the jets in combination.
In this case the effects produced vary according to the substances
operated upon. Suppose that in the apparatus represented at
Figure 1, with reference to which I have described the application
of the process to the fusion of platinum, I substitute wrought iron s
for the unoxidizable metal in a melted state so as to ignite the gascous
currents. The flames would as before produce a temperature higher
than the melting point of the metal introduced, and solid metal of
nature might be added such as scrap iron for example.
Pigs taken from the puddling furnace may be thus melted in the
bath, or spongy iron produced by the reduction of iron ores, and in
fact all kinds of wrought or rolled iron. In treating platinum the
heat and mechanical action only of the inflammable gases are utilized,
their chemical elements not acting on this metal, but in melting iron
a chemical action which is useful for refining the metal takes place.
At the same moment that the products of combustion penetrate the
iron, of which a small portion is burnt, the sulphur silicium,
phosphorus, and even the carbon are attacked and eliminated,
leaving only the iron in an almost pure condition, which is sufficiently
heated to be run off after resting a moment into a ladle or mould or
be transformed into steel in the apparatus itself by the addition of
about one-tenth of its weight of solid or liquid cast iron or by any
other mode of carburation preferred. 1-sometimes-introduce with the

page_text: gaseous mixtures substances capable of producing chemical reactions,
thus I may introduce into the metallic bath with the compressed
gaseous mixtures oxides and acids or salts which. will furnish, oxygen,
chloride, and other agents according to their nature, assisting in, the
refinement of iron for example, or to effect the decomposition of the
materials under treatment or other combinations desired. By intro-
ducing ferrocyanide of potassium together with the compressed gases
into well purified iron in fusion excellent steel may be produced.
In this bath of iron in which the flames by their rapid dispersion
continually supply fresh quantities of heat as well as produce a
powerful chemical action. ! introduce either steel or cast iron in a
state of fusion, which metals on leaving the apparatus are greatly
modified in their properties according to the time that they are
subjected to the action of the flames. The cast iron is very quickly
refined in the bath and is first converted into steel, and if the action
is continued forms an iron suitable for all purposes: The metal is
run out in the same manner as the platinum, care being takeni as
before to retain a quantity of liquid metal in the crucible! It will
be understood that although my improved process is applicable, for
melting and heating all kinds of metals it will be impossible.to
explain in detail every mode of its application.
.
It is evident that all the coinmon as well as the precious metals
may be melted in the above manner, and that the inflammable gasės
will produce effects depending entirely upon the variable!. natures::of
the metals and of the gases employed.
It is also evident that my process is equally applicable for melting
metals separately or in combination, so as to produce alloys, which
alloys may be obtained by adding to melted iron either "copper,
manganese, tungsten, chromium, or other metals.
It will be understood that I do not limit myself to the mode of
operating described in commencing the process with reference to the
platinum and the iron, thus with regard to the mode of igniting" the
gases it may be effected in many other ways than as described. I
therefore employ the mode which seems best suited to circumstances
and the matters to be treated, for example, the jets might be ignited
by an electric spark or otherwise.
זי
Oxides of iron or scoria in, a melted state, may also be introduced in
the place of the metals themselves, and in these baths, in those

page_text: resulting from the fusion of bars of metal previously made red hot, or
otherwise, the cast or other iron or steel or any of the metals above
mentioned may be added from time to time as desired. .
My improvements will be of especial advantage in metallurgical and
chemical, operations, in the manufacture and treatment by heat of all
known. metals, as well as in all chemical reactions in which the
action of heat is employed either alone or combined with other
substances...
:. Although I do not limit myself to any particular form, size, or
kind of apparatus for treating, the substances used in metallurgical,
chemical, or other.. manufactures, I will describe, as an example, a
receptacle made of refractory, material narrower at bottom than at top,
at the lower part of which are introduced the jets of compressed gas,
in which I may treat various substances; for example, to effect the
decomposition of most of the chemical, artificial, or natural salts.
"
Inwill here indicate as applications of great value, the treatment by
the calorific and chemical action of the jets in my improved apparatus.
1st, of chlorides; 2ndly,, of fluorides; 3rdly, of sulphurets; 4thly, of
phosphates;. 5thly, of sulphates, phosphates, azotates; and acid metallic
salts, such as chromates..
ismayalso heat and decompose all kinds of salts whatever may be
their bases or acids, and apply my process to all other oxidizable acid
and neutral substances, which may be treated with advantage by the
ignited jets of gas which are caused to act on the vapours of the salts
and other bodies vaporized by them in order to complete the desired
decomposition or reaction, or simply for the purpose of superheating;
and in some cases in order to produce the desired reactions I introduce
jets of steam from ordinary steam boilers, which jets serve in mixing
with the flames of the ignited jets to effect by their chemical elements
suitable, combinations and decompositions, and form saline or other
vapours.
I will here indicate as an example the decomposition of sea salt
(chloride of sodium) which produces soda and hydrochloric acid by the
sole action of the aqueous vapour produced by the combustion of
hydrogen gas or by the combined action of this vapor at a high
temperature with that of ordinary steam, which on being mixed there-
with is superheated, and aids in producing the result with economy.
.
..

page_text: Many other chlorides and salts may be treated in the same manner
with great success.
I may employ several apparatus of this kind so as to keep the
different substances apart, and I discharge the contents of the apparatus.
either by the arrangement shown in Figures 1 and 2, or by the sudden
introduction into the bottom of the apparatus of highly compressed
gas which raises and throws out the contents.
I also employ a mixing apparatus suitably arranged, such as that
shown at Figure 3, in case I purpose heating sand or pulverulent matters,
which I introduce continuously at the upper part of the apparatus, and
I discharge at bottom by a door n. The axis o is furnished with
pallets P, which on being rotated prevent the formation of air spaces,
and serve to distribute the heat of the flames or jets cqually throughout
the mass, the action being continued for a longer or shorter time, the
pulverulent or viscous matters treated being afterwards withdrawn at
the bottom.
The third part of my Invention relates to the production of luminous
or other effects by the method herein-before described. Profiting by
the high pressure at which I produce the flames I apply them for the
production of light below water, whether salt or otherwise.
Figures 4 and 5 show two simple arrangements of apparatus to be
used for this purpose. In Figure 4 is seen a bell or receiver 1, the
cylindrical part of which is formed of mica or other transparent
substance, while the hemispherical part may be of metal.
A pipes,
which reaches to the depth it is wished to illuminate, is attached to
the bell in which the flame is produced.
As the flame would not give light without the presence of a solid
refractory body the ignited jet is received on a surface of platinum
wire or on a magnesium wire, as indicated at t, Figures 4 and 5.
Figure 5 shows a similar disposition to the preceding with this difference,
that the light instead of being produced in the sea or at the bottom of
a river is obtained in a glazed chamber filled with water.
The arrangement, Figure 5, may be employed for the vaporization
of water by making the exterior chamber u and the bell in metal.
In this case a chamber of the necessary strength is employed, such as
a steam boiler, to resist the pressure of the vapour produced. It will

page_text: be seen that the products of combustion cannot fail to communicate
their heat to the liquid, and that all the heat is utilized.
I sometimes also employ the preceding arrangement of bell for
heating certain matters in order to provide the necessary space for
the flame when the matters treated are not required to be made red
hot.