Improvements in Apparatus for Producing Artificial Fuel.
Year: 1898

page_text: Date of Application, 24th Feb., 1898-Accepted, 30th Apr., 1898
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Apparatus for Producing Artificial Fuel.
I, CHARLES WARREN SMITH, of Moline, in the County of Rock Island, and State
of Illinois, United States of America, Gentleman, 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:―
My invention relates to an apparatus for producing artificial fuel from bituminous
or soft coal, saw-dust, anthracite coal dust, garbage and other refuse or material.
The invention consists in the novel construction and combination of parts herein-
after fully described and claimed.
In the accompanying drawing, the figure represents a vertical sectional view
of an apparatus constructed according to my invention.
The
In the said drawing, the reference numeral 1 designates a circular furnace formed
with a convex top 2, and a corrugated hearth 3 of fire clay or metal as found most
convenient. There is a space 4 between said top and hearth, which forms a fire
box or chamber. The numeral 5 designates supports for said hearth. The wall
of the furnace extends up above said top and is formed with an annular groove 6,
in which is seated a metallic gutter, 6", to receive the downwardly turned flange 7,
of a cover 8. The gutter is then filled with water to make a tight joint.
numeral 9 designates a hopper through which and the furnace extends a vertical
rotatable shaft 10, which is operated by any suitable motive power. Secured to
this shaft and located in the hopper is a feeder 12, with a space between it and the
walls of the hopper for the coal to pass to the hearth. Also secured to said shaft
are radial arms 13 provided with brushes 14, which sweep the coal towards the lower
edge of the hearth, where there is formed a passage or chute 15, through which the coal
escapes to a cooling chamber 17. The numeral 18 designates a pipe for conveying
gaseous fuel to the fire chamber, while 19 designates an air pipe for supplying the
air necessary for combustion. Connected with the upper portion of the furnace is
a pipe 20, for carrying away the gases evolved from the coal, which gases may be
used for heating the furnace. The numeral 21 designates a tar receptacle with
which said pipe is connected.
The operation is as follows: The furnace is heated to a temperature sufficient to
expel the gases and the coal which has been previously crushed and dried is sup-
plied to the hopper. The shaft is then set in motion and the feeder will feed the
same to the hearth. The coal will now be brushed towards the edge of the hearth
by means of the brushes in the course of which it will be subjected to a very high
degree of heat causing the gases and other volatile matters to be expelled. The
coal will now escape to the cooling chamber through the chute or passage at the
edge of the hearth and is allowed to cool down to a temperature of about 200°F.
It is then drawn off into a mixing pan and about eight per cent. of pitch or any
other binder mixed therewith and is compressed into lumps or blocks of any con-
venient size or shape. The fuel then produced will have the appearance of hard
or anthracite coal, as the coal is not coked during the process, retaining its black
color and not being porous,
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page_text: During the said operation after the hearth is once heated, it provides its own heat
by burning the gas drawn from the furnace, thus forming a continuous self sustain-
ing feed. The gas can also be withdrawn and stored into a gasometer for other
use.
I may also treat saw-dust and garbage in the same manner, increasing however,
the temperature of the hearth.
IT
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 an apparatus for manufacturing artificial fuel, consisting of a furnace
having a surrounding wall, provided with a groove or gutter in the upper end,
a convex top, an interior cooling chamber, a convex corrugated hearth located above
said top and forming a fire box there between and chutes adjacent to the lower end
of the hearth and leading to the cooling chamber, a central vertical.rotatable.shaft
provided with radial arms, brushes in said arms, a hopper at the upper end of said
shaft, a feeder secured to said shaft, a cover seated in said groove or gutter and the
air and gas pipes communicating with the fire box, substantially as described.
2. In an apparatus for manufacturing artificial fuel, consisting of a furnace
having a surrounding wall, a convex top, an interior cooling chamber, a convex
corrugated hearth located above said top and forming a fire box therebetween, and
chutes adjacent to the lower end of the hearth and leading to the cooling chamber,
a central vertical rotatable shaft provided with radial arms, brushes on said arms,
a hopper at the upper end of said shaft, a cover seated on said surrounding wall
and the air and gas pipes communicating with the fire box, substantially as
described.
Dated this 24th day of February 1898.
WHEATLEY & MACKENZIE,
40, Chancery Lane, London, W.C., Agents.