IMPROVEMENTS IN THE CONSTRUCTION OF FURNACES SPECIALLY USEFUL AS BLIND ROASTERS' FOR THE MANUFACTURE OF SALT CAKE OR SULPHATE OF SODA
Year: 1879

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to John Cliff, of Runcorn, in the County of Chester, for the
Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN THE CONSTRUCTION OF FURNACES SPECIALLY
USEFUL AS BLIND ROASTERS' FOR THE MANUFACTURE OF SALT CAKE OR
SULPHATE OF SODA"
Sealed the 25th July 1879, and dated the 19th March 1879.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said John Cliff at the Office
of the Commissioners of Patents on the 19th March 1879.
JOHN CLIFF, of Runcorn, in the County of Chester. IMPROVEMENTS IN THE
CONSTRUCTION OF FURNACES SPECIALLY USEFUL AS BLIND ROASTERS' FOR THE
MANUFACTURE OF SALT CAKE OR SULPHATE OF SODA."
"
"
By constructing tubular furnaces according to my Invention, same will be
specially useful to the blind roasters of the manufacturers of salt cake or sul-
phate of soda. These furnaces are at present constructed of an outer and inner arch
and a bed of tiles resting on flue walls, the first of 9 or 14 inch fire bricks, and the
second of 41/2 inch fire bricks or bent fire tiles, between which the flames from the
fire play. To secure the necessary temperature inside the roaster through 41/2 inches
of material necessitates a very high teinperature in the flues, and the inner arch and
in a minor degree the bed, as the joints in the bed are very much less than the arch,
which is under the present style the faulty point as to jointings and thickness, and
there being so many joints they are very liable to let the gas escape into the flues.
To hold up these arches the sides of the furnace are "braced" up and round at a very
great expense in iron.
Now according to my improvements I purpose to replace the double, heavy, and
many jointed arch by radiated tubes, or hollow bricks or blocks, or properly hol-
lowed pieces of suitable material, by which means two thirds of the present weight
is saved. The inner arch as one side of a tube can be used of less than half the
thickness of material now adopted, and thus less coals are burnt and the flue tem-
perature reduced, or, what equivalent, the charges are roasted quicker or heavier
than is now the case. Assuming tubes of 36 inches by 24 inches to be used, the
'
227

page_text: jointing in a furnace 30 feet by 8 feet is reduced more than nine tenths, with corre-
sponding saving in fire clay and erection, and much less iron than now used suffices
to brace up, as one tie rod round special shaped springers holds the light structure.
The few joints there are are deeper or longer than those in the ordinary brick or
tiled arch. The flues may be made large enough to enter if needed, and can have
any kind of junction or door fitted for examination or introduction of tools. Any
one pipe can be lifted out without disturbing the rest of the arch, or part or all can
be made in halves or other divisions. The floor or bed and sides may also be con-
structed of tubes, pipes, or hollow blocks or hollow pieces, though of other shapes.
I would remark that under the term "tubular" above mentioned I comprehend all
pieces or forms of material which can be used for constructing furnaces when so
hollowed that when built up to form furnaces the before mentioned objects and
effects are attained; and moreover I do not limit myself to the arch form, though
that seems to be the preferable form.

page_text: SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed by
the said John Cliff in the Great Seal Patent Office on the 19th September
1879.
<
JOHN CLIFF, of Runcorn, in the County of Chester. * IMPROVEMENTS IN THE
CONSTRUCTION OF FURNACES SPECIALLY USEFUL AS BLIND ROASTERS' FOR THE
MANUFACTURE OF SALT CAKE OR SULPHATE OF SODA."
By constructing tubular furnaces according to my Invention, same will be
specially useful as "blind roasters" for the manufacture of "salt cake" or sulphate
of soda.
These furnaces are at present constructed of an outer and inner arch and a bed of
tiles resting on flue walls, the outer arch of 9 or 14 inch fire bricks, and the inner
of 41/2 inch fire bricks or bent fire tiles; between which the flames from the fire play
To secure the necessary temperature inside the roaster through 4/2 inches of
material necessitates a very high temperature in the flues. The inner arch, which
is under the present style the faulty point as to jointings and thickness, is very
liable to let the " 'gas" escape into the flues. To hold up these arches the sides of
the furnace are "braced" up and round at a very great expense in iron.
Now according to my improvements I purpose to replace the double, heavy, and
many jointed arches by radiated tubes, or hollow blocks, or properly hollowed
pieces of suitable material, by which means much of the present weight is saved.
The inner arch as one side of a tube can be used of less than half the thickness
of material now adopted, and thus less coals are burnt and the flue temperature
reduced, or, what is equivalent, the charges are roasted quicker or heavier than is
now the case.
Assuming tubes or pieces of 36 inches by 24 inches to be used, the jointing in a
furnace 30 feet by 8 feet is reduced more than nine tenths, with corresponding
saving in fire clay and erection, and much less iron than now used suffices to brace
up, as one tie rod round special shaped springers holds the light structure.
The few joints there are are deeper or longer than those in the ordinary brick or
tiled arch. The flues may be made large enough to enter if needed, and can have
any kind of junction or door fitted on for examination or introduction of tools, etc.
Any one pipe can be lifted out without disturbing the rest of the arch, or part or all
can be made in halves or other divisions. The floor or bed and sides may also be con-
structed of tubes, pipes, or hollow blocks or hollow pieces, though of other shapes.
I would remark that under the term "tubular "above mentioned I comprehend all
pieces or forms of material which can be used for constructing furnaces when so
hollowed that when built up to form furnaces the before mentioned objects and
effects are attained; and moreover I do not limit myself to the arch form, though
that seems to be the preferable form.
In order that my Invention may be clearly understood I now proceed to describe
same by reference to the accompanying Drawings, that is to say:-
DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS.
Ti 1 a moss section of furnace ammanced according to mer Testnuting
0

page_text: upper side of the tubes or hollow material, so as to facilitate lifting into place and
getting to the inner joint; and in Fig. 4 a portion of the arch is shown having the
corners cut off the joints of the tubes, rendering same less liable to damage in moving
about, and also lengthening the joint.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature and object of the
said Invention, and in what manner the same is to be performed, I hereby declare
that I claim the Invention of "Improvements in the Construction of Furnaces,
specially Useful as 'Blind Roasters' for the Manufacture of Salt Cake or Sulphate
of Soda," substantially as herein before set forth and described and illustrated by the
accompanying Drawings, it being understood that I do not limit myself to the
precise details shown by the said Drawings, as same may be varied without
departing from the essential principle of my Invention, as hereinbefore set forth and
described.
In witness whereof, I, the said John Cliff, have hereunto set my hand and
seal, this Seventeenth day of September, in the year of our Lord One
thousand eight hundred and seventy nine.
Witness,
DAVID YEWDALL CLIFF,
Halton,
Runcorn.
JOHN CLIFF. (L.S.)