Improvements relating to the Carbonising of Wood for the Pro- duction of Charcoal, and in the Utilisation of the Products given off in the Process of Carbonisation.
Year: 1894

page_text: Date of Application, 23rd Jan., 1894
Complete Specification Left. 23rd Oct., 1894-Accepted, 24th Nov., 1894
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements relating to the Carbonising of Wood for the Pro-
duction of Charcoal, and in the Utilisation of the Products
given off in the Process of Carbonisation.
I, THOMAS HILL JONES, of 31 Eagle Wharf Road London, N. Manufacturing
Chemist, do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as follows:-
Hitherto in the conversion of wood into charcoal; under the primitive method,
which has obtained for centuries, of burning the wood (in proximity to the site of
growth) with peat; the process followed has been conducted solely with a view to
obtaining a good charcoal to be used as fuel without having regard to the utilisation
of the products given off during carbonisation, and these have therefore been
lost. On the other hand, when the process of carbonisation has been carried on in
retorts and the like mainly with a view to the utilisation of the pyroligneous acid
and other products arising from the destructive distillation of the wood: the result
of this method is, as regards the residual charcoal, to so impair its qualities as
to render it of very slight value, as fuel. Not only so, but generally involves
the expense-frequently heavy-of carriage of wood, from site of growth to the
works.
Now, the object of my present invention is, by a novel combination of means and
method of procedure to obtain useful and advantageous results not obtainable
under either of the above referred to hitherto followed processes. That is to
say I conduct the carbonising process preferably (to save cost of carriage of the
wood) at or in proximity to, the site of growth of timber, and adopt the first
referred to mode of burning the wood but with the additional feature of provision
being made for the collection by means of a " still-head" or the like, of the vapours
given off and which would be conducted into any of the convenient usual condensing
vessels, for the obtainment of pyroligneous acid and other useful chemical products.
I thus, as aforesaid, not only secure the utilisation of the products given off during
the process of carbonisation but the residual charcoal has its qualities as fuel,
unimpaired, whereas the contrary is the case as hereinbefore stated when the
process of carbonisation in retorts and the like.
Dated this 22nd day of January 1894.
JAMES
STEVENSON,
Gray's Inn Chambers, 20, High Holborn, W.C., Agent for Applicant.
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements relating to the Carbonising of Wood for the Pro-
duction of Charcoal, and in the Utilisation of the Products
given off in the Process of Carbonisation.
I, THOMAS HILL JONES, of 31 Eagle Wharf Road, London, N. Manufacturing
Chemist, 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 :-
Hitherto in the conversion of wood into charcoal; under the primitive method,
which has obtained for centuries, of burning the wood (in proximity to the site of

page_text: growth) with peat or turf cover; the process followed has been conducted solely
with a view to obtaining a good charcoal to be used as fuel without having regard
to the utilisation of the products given off during carbonisation, and these have
therefore been lost. On the other hand, when the process of carbonisation has
been carried on in retorts and the like, mainly with a view to the utilisation of the
pyroligneous acid and other products arising from the destructive distillation of the
wood; in such latter case the residual charcoal becomes so impaired as to materially
depreciate its value; as fuel. With the additional disadvantage also of generally
involving the expense-frequently heavy-of carriage of wood, from site of growth
to that of the works, where the carbonising process is carried out. A further
disadvantage applying to this latter mode of conducting the carbonising process
consists in the necessity for the employment separately of fuel for heating the
retorts.
Now, the object of my present invention, is, by a novel mode of procedure to
obtain useful and advantageons results not previously attainable, under either of
the above referred to, hitherto followed processes.
In accordance with my improvements I conduct the carbonising process, to save
cost of carriage of the wood, at, or in proximity to, the site of growth of the
timber, and adopt the first above referred to mode of burning the wood; viz. :-that
in which the wood to be carbonised is stacked in heaps or mounts, covered with
turf, and generally plastered over externally with a mixture of earth and charcoal
dust. I surround or envelope the heap or mound aforesaid with a metal or like
casing, at a suitable distance from the outside of the heap or mound of enclosed
stack of wood. This surrounding casing would preferably, for the convenience of
portability for transmission from place to place, be in separate parts or pieces, and
may be readily bolted up, or put together, on the spot. Openings are formed in
the turf cover or jacket for the escape of the vapours into the instersticial space
formed by the iron casing aforesaid.
The top of said outer enclosing casing would be provided with an outlet for
conducting the vapours given off during carbonisation to a still head or the like, and
thence to any of the convenient usual condensing vessels, for the obtainment of
pyroligneous acid and other resultant products given off from the wood under
treatment.
Inspection tubes may also if considered desirable, be employed to ascertain the
progress of carbonisation. These tubes if employed would be withdrawable, and
be introduced through openings formed at suitable intervals apart, in the inner and
outer casings.
Under a modification of my invention the stacks of wood to be carbonised may
be contained within a casing of bricks, or of bricks lined with iron, or in an iron
casing only, of sheets built up on the spot as required. Under each of which
modifications the advantage of portability would still obtain. Also, under this
modification it will be seen that the usual turf &c. covering is, or may be dispensed
with. An outlet pipe or neck being adapted to the top of the receptacle for
carrying off the vapours resulting from carbonisation to any of the usual condensing
vessels as aforesaid, in reference to the first described mode of procedure.
I thus as before stated, not only secure the utilization of the products given off
during the process of carbonization, but the residual charcoal has it qualities as
fuel unimpaired, whereas, in the case herein before stated, when the process of
carbonisation is carried on in retorts and the like, the result is to the contrary.
Moreover, in accordance with the mode of procedure which I adopt,
will be seen
that the wood is rendered self carbonising.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said inven-
tion, and in what manner the same is to be performed, declare that what I
claim is:
The improved method of conducting the combined processes of the carbonisation

page_text: of wood, at or in close proximity to the place of growth, for the production of
charcoal, and collecting for utilisation, the products given off during the carbonising
process, substantially as and for the purposes herein set forth.
Dated this 22nd day of October 1894.
THOS. HILL JONES,
31, Eagle Wharf Road, N.