IMPROVEMENTS IN THE MODE OF AND APPARATUS FOR COMBINING THE VAPORS OF LIQUID HYDROCARBONS WITH OXYGEN AND HYDROGEN, AND BURNING THE MIXTURE AS FUEL
Year: 1867

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Marc Antoine François Mennons, of the Firm of
Mennons and Telescheff, Home and Foreign Patent Agents, of No. 8,
Southampton Buildings, in the County of Middlesex, and 53, Rue de la
Chaussée d'Antin, Paris, in the Empire of France, for the Invention of
"IMPROVEMENTS IN THE MODE OF AND APPARATUS FOR COMBINING THE VAPORS
OF LIQUID HYDROCARBONS WITH OXYGEN AND HYDROGEN, AND BURNING THE
MIXTURE AS FUEL."-A communication from David Oliver Macomber,
residing at No. 16, Rue Auber, Paris, in the Empire of France.
ealed the 23rd June 1868, and dated the 31st December 1867.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Marc Antoine François
Mennons at the Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with his
Petition, on the 31st December 1867.
I, MARC ANTOINE FRANÇOIS MENNONS,, of the Firm of Mennons and
Telescheff, Home and Foreign Patent Agents, of No. 8, Southampton
Buildings, in the County of Middlesex, and 53, Rue de la Chaussée d'Antin,
Paris, in the Empire of France, do hereby declare the nature of the said
Invention for "IMPROVEMENTS IN THE MODE. OF AND APPARATUS FOR. COMBINING
THE VAPORS OF LIQUID HYDROCARBONS WITH OXYGEN AND HYDROGEN, AND BURNING
THE MIXTURE AS FUEL," (a communication,) to be as follows:::
This Invention consists. in a new and improved method and apparatus for
combining the vapors of petroleum, shale oil, and other liquid hydrocarbons
with oxygen and hydrogen gas, and burning the mixture as fuel.

page_text: In order that the principal features of this Invention may be more
prominently set forth it is proper here to state that only two distinct
modes of burning the above-named ingredients have hitherto been experimented
on a large scale, namely, the "retort" or "vaporizer," and the " open
or "surface burner" systems. In the first the material is led into a close
vessel or retort, volatilized by the application of heat, then discharged and
burned as gas or vapor. This method has been found in practice to be
attended with danger, and the interior of the retort soon becomes incrusted
by the adhering to and burning in it of the heavier products of the oil,
whereby the vaporization becomes slower and the fire from the jets gradually
dies out. Besides this system is only applicable to the generation of steam.
The "surface burner though superior to the other and of more general
application, possesses several radical defects, such as the escape unconsumed of
a large per-centage of combustible matter, there being no suitable method of
arresting and retaining the same for complete combustion. This bears.
directly upon the question of using hydrocarbons as fuel.
The result of experiments hitherto made is to prove most conclusively that
the greater the degree of heat maintained in and around the apparatus when
working the less oil is consumed in proportion to produce given results. It
is well known that none of the contrivances hitherto invented can maintain a
continuous heat of more than about three hundred degrees Fahrenheit, while
in order to reach the point of greatest economy and perfect combustion there
should be continually prevailing a temperature of as many thousands degrees
of heat. To secure these and other important results is the object of the
present Invention.
Referring to the accompanying Drawings, in which Fig. 1 is a longitudinal
section of the apparatus, Fig. 2 a front view of the same, and Fig. 3 is a
plan of the burner.
The appearance of the apparatus as a whole is that of the letter resting
upon its flat side. The lower or flat part A is the burner proper, while the
semicircular portion B joined with the other constitutes the retort. Both
parts may be made with ordinary fire-brick or of fire-clay, or any material
capable of resisting intense heat, and of retaining or reflecting heat without
transmitting it. The upper portion B should be made of this or similar
material, while for all ordinary purposes the lower part A may be made of
cast iron or other metal, as the blast thrown against this part is always
sufficient to prevent melting. The style and shape of either part will depend
npon
the uses and places in which it is to be put. The two sections wher
united form a complete combustion chamber. The upper segment of the

page_text: retort proper is constructed to form a hollow chamber b as large as may be
convenient to receive iron filings, coke, coal, or any material which when"
heated will assist in producing hydrogen gas from water or steam, or in super-
heating air, either one to be conducted into said chamber by means of a pipe
or pipes c within and properly protected by the material composing the retort.
This gas so obtained. or the superbeated air is to be discharged into the
burning mass below through jets or openings pierced in the upper interior
portion of the retort, as shown. Access may be had to the chamber for the
purpose of repleneshing the decomposing or heating material by means of a
small moveable section in front or other convenient place.
Arranged substantially as above the desideratum so long sought for is
attained, namely, the presence in the combustion chamber of several thousand
degrees of heat, and consequently the economical and perfect combustion and
utilization without waste of all the elements of heat of which the ingredients
used are capable. If used in a boiler the grate bars should be removed, and
the apparatus put in their place should only occupy so much space as to leave
ample room on both sides and top, and generally at the back end for the
flame to impinge and act upon all the tubes, flues, and entire water surface of
the boiler. Special care should be taken that sufficient room be left between
the retort and front of the fire-box, so that the flame may issue and spread
without coming in contact with the fire-door.
As a guide in constructing the apparatus, due regard being had to pro-
portions, the actual oil surface including the air spaces should not in any case
exceed one-third of the ordinary coal or grate surface. As a general rule this
is applicable to all cases and uses where the "combination burner"
may be
applied. The base of the retort or the burner plate A when constructed of
metal resembles à large pan with a number of corrugations or hollow ribs d,
which being open at the top and still wider open at the bottom serve as air
channels, and without permitting the escape of the oil admit a full supply and
intermixture of oxygen with the oil at the earliest point of combustion. For
instance, in a fifteen horse-power boiler, two superficial feet of oil and air
surface or interior space would be quite sufficient for the burner; three
corrugations or ribs at equal distances therein, two inches high, with a con-
tinuous slot or opening of five-eighths of an inch at top and seven-eighths
underneath, and with the rim or outer upright portion of the pan or burner
half an inch higher, and a three-inches horizontal flange on each side for the
convenience of resting the brick upon and fastening to the corresponding
parts of the air chamber below will be about right, and in connection with
the Drawing answer as a guide in constucting, an, apparatus for any purpose

page_text: whatever. The "refractor" e, as seen in the Drawing, is of cast iron or other
material in T shape, is fastened on and rests over the ribs extending its sharp
edge slightly down into the air channel. This is for the purpose of dividing
the current of air and for causing it to turn downward and intermingle more
intin ately with the. free carbon at the point of ignition. There should be
usually about half an inch of clear air space all around, under, and on each side
of the refractor. Between the air ducts dissue the oil supply pipes. It may
be better if the ends or branches of these pipes terminate with a T for the
better delivery of the oil, all being regulated by one supply pipe and one stop-
cock outside. When preferable the supply of oil may be through the sides or
ends or from the top of the burner plate instead of the bottom, as shown. Pieces
of broken fire-brick about the size of a small chestnut or pieces of any similar
material in one or more layers placed in the channels of the burner answer a good
purpose. The air chamber C underneath may be made of cast iron plate or
sheet iron of suitable depth of similar width and length with the burner plate,
and attached thereto air and steam tight by any suitable means, substantially as
shown in the Drawing. Into this is set an air duct or funnel D in connection
with a steam pipe g to promote the draught, essentially as shown in Fig. 3, or
in any other manner to effect the same purpose. A jet of steam may be used
when required to impel and refract or spray the hydrocarbon into the retort
or upon the burner. It is also arranged and contemplated to use and take a
blast from an air holder or from any air forcing machine, with but slight
change in the event a greater supply is required for heating ores, metals, and
for any purpose whatever. In the beating, smelting, and the manufacture of
the various ores, oxydes, and metals, as well as for other numerous purposes,
a pure flame and most intense heat are necessary.
It is the object of this Invention to furnish those requisites, and by the
variety of its form and facility of adaptation to meet every requirement of
human industry where an efficient heating agent may be required.
By means of the annexed Drawings and foregoing explanations the whole
process and apparatus being so very simple and plain almost any person may
be able to construct and operate the burner constructed and arranged sub-
stantially as above, the necessary connection with the oil tank and steam
being made with the ordinary stop-cocks in the intervening pipes the whole
apparatus is ready to be put into operation. This is done by simply turning the
oil cock, permitting a small quantity to flow into the channels of the burner,
then lighting it with a lighted candle or piece of paper or shaving. If it be
desirable to heat up with a greater rapidity a forced blast is to be applied in
one of the methods herein provided for. Special care should be taken that

page_text: all doors and openings through which air may enter, except through the
funnel D, be hermetically tight as very much depends upon the draught and
the manner of admitting it. The approximate amount of oil being burned
and the degree of heat produced or desired may always be seen by noting the
color and density of the flame through a small eye hole in front of the burner.
Very slight observation will enable any person to regulate all this with great
accuracy. As soon as the retort has become well heated the proper pro-
pertions of the ingredients to be admitted may be readily arranged, the gauges
set, and the whole left to run with but the slightest attention. The red
smoky flame contains the least heat, and even the pure white flame is not the
hottest. The oxy-hydrogen flame slightly carburetted of a thin bluish silvery
color emitting no smoke or vapor whatever from the chimney is the point
indicating greatest economy in fuel, perfect combustion, and most intense
heat. This accomplished the process and apparatus may be considered in
perfect working operation.
SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters l'atent, filed
by the said Mare Antoine François Mennons in the Great Seal Patent
Office on the 29th June 1868.
TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, I, MARC
ANTOINE FRANÇOIS MENNONS, of the Firm of Mennons and Teleschelf, Home
and Foreign Patent Agents, of No. 8, Southampton Buildings, in the County
of Middlesex, and 53, Rue de la Chaussée d'Antin, Paris, in the Empire of
France, send greeting.
WHEREAS Her most Excellent Majesty Queen Victoria, by IIer Letters.
Patent, bearing date the Thirty-first day of December, in the year of our
Lord One thousand eight hundred and sixty-seven, in the thirty-first year of
Her reign, did, for Herself, Her heirs and successors, give and grant unto
the said Marc Antoine François Mennons, Her special licence that I, the
said Marc Antoine François Mennons, my executors, administrators, and
assigns, or such others as I, the said Marc Antoine François Mennons, my
executors, administrators, and assigns, should at any time agree with, and no
others, from time to time and at all times thereafter during the term therein.
expressed, should and lawfully might make, use, exercise, and vend, within
the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland, the Channel Islands, and
Isle of Man, an Invention for "IMPROVEMENTS IN THE MODE OF AND APPARATUS
YOR COMBINING THE VAPORS OF LIQUID HYDROCARBONS WITH OXYGEN AND

page_text: HYDROGEN, AND BURNING THE MIXTURE AS FUEL," a communication from David
Oliver Macomber, a person resident at No. 16, Rue Auber, Paris, France,
upon the condition (amongst others) that I, the said Marc Antoine François
Mennons, my executors or administrators, by an instrument in writing under
my, or their, or one of their hands and seals, should particularly describe and
ascertain the nature of the said Invention, and in what manner the same was
to be performed, and cause the same to be filed in the Great Seal Patent
Office within six calendar months next and immediately after the date of the
said Letters Patent.
NOW KNOW YE, that I, the said Marc Antoine François Mennons, do
hereby declare the nature of the said Invention, and in what manner the
same is to be performed, to be particularly described and ascertained in and
by the following statement, reference being had to the annexed Drawing, and
to the letters marked thereon, that is to say :-
This Invention consists in a new and improved method and apparatus for
combining the vapours of petroleum, shale oil, and other liquid hydrocarbons
with oxygen and hydrogen gas, and burning the mixture as fuel.
In order that the principal features of this Invention may be more
prominently set forth, it is proper to here state that only two distinct modes
of burning the above-named ingredients have hereto been experimented on a
large scale, namely, the "retort or vaporizer," and the open or "surface
burner" systems. In the first the material is led into a closed vessel or retort,
volatilized by the application of heat, then discharged and burned as gas or
vapour. This method has been found in practice to be attended with danger,
and the interior of the retort soon becomes incrusted by the adhering to and
burning on it of the heavier products of the oil, whereby the vaporization
becomes slower and the fire from the jets gradually dies out. Besides this
system is only applicable to the generation of steam. The "surface burner,'
though superior to the other and of more general application, possesses several
radical defects, such as the escape unconsumed of a large per-centage of com-
bustible matter, there being no suitable method of arresting and retaining the
same for complete combustion. This bears directly upon the question of the
economy of using hydrocarbons as fuel.
"
It
The result of experiments hitherto made is to prove most conclusively that
the greater the degree of heat maintained in and around the apparatus when
working the less oil is consumed in proportion to produce given results.
is well known that none of the contrivances hitherto invented can maintain a
continuous heat of more than about three hundred degrees Fahrenheit, while
in order to reach the point of greatest economy and perfect combustion there

page_text: should be continually prevailing a temperature of as many thousand degrees
of heat. To secure this and other important results is the object of the
present Invention.
Referring to the accompanying Drawings, in which Figure 1 is a longitudinal
section of the apparatus, Figure 2 a front view of the same, and Figure 3 is a
plan of the burner.
The appearance of the apparatus as a whole is that of a letter resting
upon its flat side. The lower or flat part A is the burner proper, while the
semicircular portion B joined with the other constitutes the retort. Both
parts may be made with ordinary fire-brick or of fire-clay, or any material
capable of resisting intense heat and of retaining or reflecting heat without
transmitting it. The upper portion B should be made of this or other similar
material, while for all ordinary purposes the lower portion A may be made of
cast iron or other metal, as the blast thrown against this part is always
sufficient to prevent melting. The style and shape of either part depend upon
the uses and places in which it is to be put. The two sections when united
form a complete combustion chamber. The upper segment of the retort
proper is constructed to form a hollow chamber B as large as may be convenient
to receive iron filings, coke, coal, or any material which when heated will
assist in producing hydrogen gas from water or steam, or in superheating
atmospheric air, either one to be conducted into said chamber by means of a
pipe or pipes C within and properly protected by the material composing the
retort. This gas so obtained or the superheated air is to be discharged into the
burning mass below through jets or openings pierced in the upper interior
portion of the retort, as shown. Access may be had to the chamber B for
the purpose of replenishing the decomposing or heating material by means
of a small moveable section in front or other convenient place.
Arranged substantially as above the desideratum so long sought for is
obtained, namely, the presence in the combustion chamber of several thousand
degrees of beat, and consequently the economical and perfect combustion and
utilization without waste of all the elements of heat of which the ingredients
used are capable. If used in a boiler the grate bars should be removed, and
the apparatus put in their place should only occupy so much space as to leave
ample room on both sides and top and generally at the back end for the flame
to impinge and act upon all the tubes, flues, and entire water surface of the
boiler. Special care should be taken that sufficient room be left between the
retort and front of the fire-box, so that the flames may issue and spread
without coming in contact with the fire-door.
As a guide in constructing the apparatus, due regard being had to
.

page_text: proportions, its actual oil surface including the air spaces, should not in any.
case exceed one-third of the ordinary coal or grate surface. As a general rule
this is applicable to all cases and uses where the "combination burner" may.
be applied. The base of the retort or burner plate A when constructed of
metal resembles a large pan with a number of corrugations or hollow ribs d,
which being open at the top and still wider open at the bottom serve as air
channels, and without permitting the escape of the oil admits a full supply
and intermixture of oxygen with the oil at the earliest point of combustion;
for instance, in a 15-horse power boiler 2 superficial feet of oil and air
surface or interior space would be quite sufficient for the burner; 3 corru-
gations or ribs at equal distances therein, 2 inches high, with a continuous
slot or opening of ths of an inch at top and ths underneath, and
with the rim or outer upright portion of the fan or burner half an inch
higher, and a 3-inches horizontal flange on each side for the convenience
of resting the brick upon and fastening to the corresponding parts of the air
chamber below will be about right, and in connection with the Drawing
answer as a guide in constructing an apparatus for any purpose whatever.
The refractor e, as seen in the Drawing, is of cast iron or of other material
in T shape is fastened on and rests over the ribs extending its sharp edge
slightly down into the air channel. This is for the purpose of dividing the
current of air and for causing it to turn downwards and intermingle more
intimately with the free carbon at the point of ignition. There should be
usually about half an inch of clear air space all around, under, and on cach
side of the refractor. Between the air ducts d issue the oil supply pipes. It
may be better if the ends or branches of the pipes terminate with a T for the
better delivery of the oil, all being regulated by one supply pipe and one stop-
cock outside. When preferable the supply of oil may be through the sides or
ends or from the top of the burner plate instead of the bottom, as shown.
Pieces of broken fire-brick about the size of a small chesnut or pieces of any
similar material in one or more layers placed in the chamber of the burner
answer a good purpose. The air chamber C underneath may be made of cast
iron plate or sheet iron of suitable depth, of similar width and length with
the burner plate, and attached thereto air and steam tight by any suitable
means, substantially as shown in the Drawings. Into this is set an air duct
or funnel D in connection with a steam pipe g to promote the draught, cssen-
tially as shown in Figure 3, or in any other manner to effect the same purpose.
A jet of steam may be used when required to impel, refract, or spray the
hydrocarbon into the retort or upon the burner. It is also arranged and con-
templated to use and take a blast from any air holder or from any air-forcing

page_text: machine, with but slight change in the event a greater supply is required for
heating ores, metals, and for any purpose whatever. In the heating, smelting,
and the manufacture of the various ores, oxides, and metals, as well as for
numerous other purposes, a pure flame and most intense heat are necessary.
It is the object of this Invention to furnish those requisites, and by the variety
of its form and facility of adaptation to meet every requirement of human
industry where an ellicient heating agent may be required.
.
By means of the annexed Drawing and foregoing explanations, the whole
apparatus and process being so very simple and plain, almost any person may
be able to construct and operate the burner. Constructed and arranged sub-
stantially as above, the necessary connection with the oil tank, and steam being
made with the ordinary stop-cocks in the intervening pipes the whole apparatus
is ready to be put into operation. This is done by simply turning the oil cock,
permitting a small quantity to flow into the channels of the burner, then
lighting it with a lighted candle or piece of paper or shaving. If it be
desirable to beat up with a greater rapidity a forced blast is to be applied in
one of the methods herein provided for. Special care should be taken that
all doors and openings through which air may enter, except through the
funnel D, be hermetically tight, as very much depends upon the draught and the
manner of admitting it. The approximate amount of oil being burned and the
degree of heat produced or desired may always be seen by noting the color and
density of the flame through a small eye-hole in front of the burner. Very
slight observation will enable any person to regulate all this with great
accuracy. As soon as the retort.becomes well heated the proper proportions
of the ingredients to be admitted may be readily arranged, the gauges set,
and the whole left to run with but the slightest attention. The red smoky
flame contains the least heat, and even the pure white flame is not the hottest.
The oxyhydrogen flame slightly carburetted of a thin blueish silvery color,
emitting no smoke or vapor whatever from the chimney is the point indicating
greatest economy in fuel, perfect combustion, and more intense heat. This
accomplished the process and apparatus may be considered in perfect working
operation.
Having thus described and ascertained the nature of the said improvements,
and the manner of carrying them into effect, I would have it understood that
I do not confine myself to the precise details of construction and arrangement
herein laid down, as these may be modified according to circumstances without
deviating from the principal or main features of the Invention; but what I claim
and desire to protect by the herein-before in part recited Letters Patent is,―
Firstly. The combination of the "retort" B with the "surface or open

page_text: burner" systems of burning liquid hydrocarbons in whatever form or style
either part may be constructed or operated.
Secondly. The construction of a retort as a whole or in sections open at
one or both sides thereof, composed of fire-brick, fire-clay, or any non-
conducting incombustible material, either solid or with a hollow chamber
in the upper part of the same; also the use in said chamber of any
material known in its heated state to facilitate the decomposition of water,
steam, or for furnishing heated air by passing it through the same; also
the method of obtaining and using bydrogen gas in combination with such
hydrocarbons as fuel, as and for the purposes above described and shown.
Thirdly. The burner plate A made of metal or other material, the refractor e,
the manner of admitting, combining, and burning the air, gas, and liquids,
the air and steam chamber combined and separately or their equivalents,
substantially as specified and shown.
Fourthly. An air duct or funnel D, and the employment of steam in
combination with the above for the purposes of increasing the air draught,
substantially as and for the purposes set forth.
Fifthly. The combustion of hydrocarbon liquids in combination with oxygen
and hydrogen gases, or either of them, in or upon a combined burner and
retort appropriately arranged, substantially as described for metallurgic and
other purposes when an intense heat may be required.
Sixthly. The construction and adaptation, essentially as described, of the
several parts or their equivalents; also for receiving when desirable a greater
supply of atmospheric air from an air holder, or from any air forcing apparatus
direct, simply by attaching the same to said funnel or other pipe.
In witness whereof, I, the said Marc Antoine François Mennons, have
hereunto set my hand and seal, this Twenty-seventh day of June,
in the year of our Lord One thousand eight hundred and sixty-eight.