IMPROVEMENTS IN APPARATUS FOR UTILIZING LIQUID OR GASEOUS HYDRO- CARBON AS FUEL IN FURNACES FOR GENERATING STEAM, PUDDLING IRON, AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES
Year: 1881

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to William Robert Lake, of the Firm of Haseltine, Lake
& Co., Patent Agents, Southampton Buildings, London, for an Invention of
"IMPROVEMENTS IN APPARATUS FOR UTILIZING LIQUID OR GASEOUS HYDRO-
CARBON AS FUEL IN FURNACES FOR GENERATING STEAM, PUDDLING IRON,
AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES." A communication from abroad by Joshua
W. Houchin and Joshua R. Houchin, both of Brooklyn, New York, United
States of America, Engineers.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said William Robert Lake at
the Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 26th April 1881.
WILLIAM ROBERT LAKE, of the Firm of Haseltine, Lake, & Co., Patent
Agents, Southampton Buildings, London. "IMPROVEMENTS IN APPARATUS FOR
UTILIZING LIQUID OR GASEOUS HYDROCARBON AS FUEL IN
FURNACES FOR
GENERATING STEAM, PUDDLING IRON, AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES." [A communi-
cation from abroad by Joshua W. Houchin and Joshua R. Houchin, both of
Brooklyn, New York, United States of America, Engineers.]
4
This Invention relates to improved apparatus by which any combustible gas,
such as ordinary coal gas, or gas formed by the vaporization (by heat or otherwise)
of gasoline, naphtha, or other liquid hydrocarbons, alone and propelled by its own
force of expansion, or mixed before or at its point of combustion with steam, may
be consumed as fuel in a boiler furnace in order to generate the requisite amount
of heat without the annoyance of dust, smoke, and cinders always accompanying
the use of solid fuel.
For this purpose various devices have been heretofore proposed. In one of these
devices the liquid was caused to evaporate by dropping upon a heated iron plate
taking the place of the ordinary furnace-grate. In another no grate plate is used
but an injector is secured in the furnace wall, through which the liquid fuel is
•
D

page_text: atomized by steam, and being thus introduced in the form of a jet is ignited in the
furnace. To use hydrocarbon liquid mixed with steam as fuel for water boilers or
cooking pots was proposed as early as the year 1863, when short gas pipes provided
with burners or jets at intervals were attached radially around a central gas
chamber; but apparatus of this class as heretofore constructed if used in steam
boiler furnaces would rapidly be destroyed by exposure to the flame. Proper
provisions moreover were not made to utilize the full heating power of the gases by
the necessary admittance and regulation of a suitable supply of air.
It has been ascertained however that the best result is obtained when the liquid
is not atomized, but converted into real gas by heat in a suitable retort, and
burned in numerous jets distributed uniformly over the grate surface.
To this end the present Invention is specially designed, its object being to
provide a new and improved apparatus by which the defects and objections of such
apparatus as heretofore constructed will be remedied and overcome.
The present Invention comprises two modifications of the same generic features
to adapt the apparatus to mixing the gases either before or at their exit in the jet
tubes of the grate.
For fuel use either ordinary coal gas (in stationary boilers), or gas made by
heating liquid hydrocarbon in retorts within or without the boiler furnace,
according to availability.
The gas is introduced through a pipe, and the steam through another pipe of an
injector into a central receiver, and gas and steam are similarly introduced together
by another injector through connecting pipes into two separate receivers, which
are placed in line with the central receiver across one end of the furnace and grate.
The gases thus mixed are distributed from the receivers or chambers through a
series of parallel pipes arranged in the same plane and extending to the opposite
end of the furnace. These pipes rest in semicircular grooves formed in the upper
surface of a cast iron grate-plate, and are provided with perforations at suitable
distances apart to connect each perforation with a corresponding gas jet tube, the
gaseous fuel as it issues from the said gas jet tube is ignited. The gas jet tubes
are preferably of a slightly conical shape, and are provided at their base with a
lateral (or central) channel of ample size to admit a sufficient supply of air from
underneath the grate plate to ensure complete combustion. For this purpose this
plate has an opening or perforation of the requisite size directly underneath each
air passage, and in the lower end of the said opening is formed a valve-seat to
receive an air-valve.
Around the lower end of each gas jet tube is formed in the casting a rectangular
base-flange, by which the tube is supported evenly and in an upright position upon
the plate, a semicircular groove being also formed across the underside of the base
flange to fit the upper semicircle of the parallel pipes, while the lower semicircle
of the said same rests in the groove of the grate plate as above stated. The gas jet
tubes (with the flanges) being all of the same size and shape, it is evident that in
order to place them in proper position upon the grate plate relatively to the air
passages in the said plate, and to the perforations in the parallel pipes, it is only
necessary after having adjusted one of them in position to place them all side by
side. In a stationary boiler, they will retain their position without further
fastening, but in locomotive boilers the jolting and jerking produced when the
locomotive is travelling necessitate their being provided with extra fastening. For
this purpose shoulders of equal height are formed upon the flange on opposite sides of
the tube, and iron bars are placed upon the rows of shoulders and secured to the
grate plate by bolts at intervals. The grate being thus composed of the plate, the
pipes, and the tubes is completed by filling all the interstices between the tubes
and between them and the vertical edge-flanges of the grate plate with fire clay,
until the surface becomes even with the upper end-plane of the gas jet tubes.
This fireclay affords to the body of these tubes and to the pipes a durable protection
against deterioration by the intense heat of the flames.
To adinit the gaseous fuel only to the central portion of the grate surface, or

page_text: only to the side portions, or to the whole surface at once, according to the intensity
required of the fire, the receivers or chambers are separated from each other, as
above stated. The three chambers may however be formed in oue, extending across
the width of the grate.
It is well known that while the illuminating capacity of gas decreases with an
admixture of air beyond a certain amount, the intensity of the heat increases for a
considerable range of proportions above that amount; and as the heating capacity
or proportion of carbon to hydrogen varies in different gases which may be used as
fuel, it is of the utmost importance to provide for a proper regulation of the air
supply, not only for obtaining the maximum amount of heat, but also for lowering
the fire or lessening the heat, as frequently becomes necessary.
For this purpose I provide each of the air-channels with a valve, which fit
when closed a corresponding seat. All these valves for each longitudinal row of
valve seats are secured upon one common bar, so that they may be operated equally
and simultaneously by evenly raising or lowering the said bar. The said bars are
guided vertically by suitable cleats or guides attached to the underside of the grate
plate, and are connected by pivoted links (two for each bar) to bell cranks fulcrummed
upon a rod, which latter is placed horizontally underneath the bars at right angles
to them, and is supported in end bearings attached on opposite sides to the furnace
walls. The lower ends of the bell cranks are pivoted to a lever, so that by pulling
or pushing the handle of the latter the row of valves may be uniformly raised or
lowered.
The bell cranks for the bars of the four outer rows of the valves (operating in
conjunction with the parallel pipes connected to the receivers) are fastened by set
screws or pins to a shaft or rod, so that they may all be operated together by the
same lever, and the bell cranks for the bars of the two central rows of valves
(working in conjunction with the parallel pipes connected to the central chamber)
are allowed to turn loose upon the rod, and are inter-connected by cross rods to
which a common lever is attached, so that by the said lever the two central rows
of valves may likewise be operated together independently of the outer rows.
The valves may be fastened to the bars by lugs and cross pins, or by being
pivoted in a socket in the bar. by means of a pin or shank under the valve.
The mixed gas and steam at the point of exit from the pipe mingles with the
air, and is ignited at the upper end of the gas jet tube. Instead of mixing steam
and gas by the injector it has been found expedient and advantageous to keep
them separate until they issue from the horizontal pipes into the tubes, and both
simultaneously commingle with the air passing through the openings controlled by
the valves.
For this purpose, instead of using only one pipe along each row of tubes, I place
two pipes alongside of each other, with the row of air passages intervening (the
said pipes being fitted between the tube-base and the grate plate in the same
manner as above described), and connect a number of the pipes to one chamber (with
or without partitions for separate central and side fires) for receiving gas which
enters the said chamber through an inlet pipe. I likewise connect the remainder
of the pipes to a similar steam chamber having an inlet pipe. In order to keep
the pipes in the same horizontal plane the chambers are formed with their adjoining
surfaces intermeshing, so that the steam and gas pipes may be arranged in positions
alternate to each other, as they should be. By this modification the gas, steam,
and air meet and commingle first in the tube. The closed ends of pipes may be
provided with nuts to facilitate their being turned by means of an ordinary wrench,
and thus unscrewed from their respective chambers in order to replace or repair
one or more of them without taking the grate apart.
I will now proceed to describe a modified, simple, and effective device for
supplying atomized hydrocarbon liquid as fuel in furnaces in a manner calculated
to insure complete combustion (thus not attendant with smoke and cinders), and
without necessitating the use of exhaust steam to promote the draught in the
chimney..

page_text: In carrying this part of my said Invention into practice I provide an air-drum.
arranged in front of the smoke-box, so as to receive heat from the latter. I also
There is an air
provide a valve for regulating the air supply to the said drum
flue leading from the drum down between the cylinders along and underneath the
boiler and furnace, extending throughout the whole width of the latter, and
terminating in the rear thereof in an upwardly contracting bend closed at its upper
end. Those walls of this flue which are exposed to the outer air should be made
In the
double, and filled with "slag-wool" or other non-conducting material.
upper rear end of the flue are laterally opposite openings, which constitute the central
inlets to the casings of two fans secured upon the same shaft; this shaft is revolved
by a pulley and belt from a larger pulley driven by a small separate engine or other
suitable power. The ordinary tangential outlet pipes of the fans are arranged to.
enter the rear end of the furnace. The furnace or the lower portion (or actual fire-
pot) thereof is lined with fire-brick, and partly covered with an arched fire-bridge,
also made of fire-brick, and inclining forward toward the lower edge of the boiler-
tube-plate. A central pipe is connected, to convey petroleum or other liquid
hydrocarbon from a suitable tank to two branch pipes leading one to each of the
outlets of the fans, and ending preferably within the outlet openings of the outlet-
pipes. Each of the branch pipes is provided. with a stop cock.
To counteract the cooling effect of the reactionary circulation of the air in the
flue due to the rapid forward motion of the locomotive, the air supply regulating
valve is arranged on the drum, but for a stationary furnace the said valve may be
applied in any other suitable part of the flue, though the arrangement shown is
preferable.
The apparatus thus far described is more especially applicable for the rapid and
economical generation of steam in boilers. I will now proceed to describe improved
ineans for smelting and decarbonizing pig iron in padling and other furnaces for
its conversion into the malleable grades of steel and bar iron.
For this purpose the second part of this Invention consists in the construction
and combination of parts whereby the intense heat required is concentrated in the
puddling trough of the furnace, while the temperature near the inlet for the fuel
is comparatively low in order to protect the pipes and nozzles from injury by too
great a heat, and a blast of air properly applied and regulated is supplied for the
necessary conversion of the liberated carbon into carbonic acid and its complete
combustion..
The furnace is an oblong fire brick structure; the puddling trough is bordered
by the side walls of the furnace and the bridge walls; through the front end wall
the fuel and blast are admitted. The escape flue, instead of running in a continuous
straight line from the puddling trough to the chimney, is extended by the inter
position of an arched flue, and an air heating chamber in the shape of an inverted U
standing upon the ground, its space being confined by the side walls of the
furnace, an inner central arch, an outer arch or roof, a bridge wall, and a rear end
wall. The floor or bottom of the flue extends from the chimney clear across the
flue to the wall of the inner arch, thus forming a horizontal partition in the rear
leg of the arched flue and a chamber below the said partition. Through the rear
wall is inserted a discharge tube of a revolving fan or other blowing engine. In
the flue or chamber are arranged a series of air pipes curved to conform to the
shape of the flue. The rear ends of these pipes are fastened through the partition
and open into the chamber, and the front ends of the said pipes are connected to
a larger pipe or drum placed across the furnace in the lower end of the front leg
of the flue. One or more other pipes closed at their outer ends connect with this
drum, and extend thence along and underneath the furnace to and through the
front wall, projecting beyond the said wall sufficiently to allow of attaching to
them one or more upright pipes, to which are connected one or more atomizing
nozzles, and also an upper air valve nozzle. These nozzles are inserted in the
furnace wall, their extreme inner ends being flush with the inside of the said wall.
I prefer to employ two atomizing nozzles, arranging the hydrocarbon pipes with

page_text: their ends within the end openings of the said nozzles and nearest to the upper
edge of the said openings, so that when the valve in the pipe leading from the
oil reservoir to the distributing pipes is open, the oil issuing from the latter pipes
is intercepted as it falls and blown into atoms by the air jets issuing from the said
nozzles.
The pipe coupling by which the nozzle is attached is provided with a transverse
guide groove, in which a gate valve is fitted to slide for use in regulating the air
supply to produce proper vaporization.
The space between the bridge wall and the front wall is provided with a bricked
vault forming a furnace floor, whose surface is a little below that of the puddling
trough. When a heavy or less volatile hydrocarbon oil or liquid, such as crude
petroleum, is used for fuel, it is necessary in order to kindle it to make a small fire
with coal or wood on the floor, the kindling fuel being fed in through a hand hole at
one end of the kindling box, whose sides are formed of the end wall and the fire bridge.
The latter built upon the bridge wall is made curved and inclining toward the end
wall, so as to make the kindling box much narrower above than below. The upper
part of the concave side of the bridge is rounded off by a convex curve, the tube
curves forming a continuous even line resembling the "cyma" of architecture.
The atomizing nozzles enter the widest part of the kindling box a little above the
floor, and the hydrocarbon vapors partly ignite, whirl about, recoil from the fire
bridge, and contract and mix thoroughly in passing through the narrow part of the
kindling box until in passing over the top of the bridge they encounter the sheet
jet of air, which from the nozzle passes at a tangent to the upper near edge of the
bridge at a downward inclination impinging upon the iron in the trough. On
meeting the upper air jet the vapors become thoroughly ignited, and the intensity
of the heat increases considerably when they reach the trough, while the
temperature in the kindling box is comparatively low, as desired, to prevent
burning the nozzles.
The heated air from the furnace before reaching the chimney through the
narrow escape flue expands in the flue or chamber, and communicates its heat to a
series of curved pipes, the drum and other pipes thereby heating the blast, which
entering the chamber passes through pipes to the nozzles. One nozzle consists of
a cast iron box with an oblong or rectangular opening extending across the full
inside width of the furnace, and having on the outside two nipples for receiving
the upper ends of pipes. A flat oscillating damper or gate valve fitting the nozzle
is hinged or pivotted by being fastened upon a rod or pin having its bearings in
the opposite ends of the nozzle above the outline or the air current. One end of
rod projects through the end wall of the nozzle, and has secured upon it a toothed
segment in gear with the worm, which has its bearings in a suitable bracket cast
or attached to the other nozzle. By a hand crank upon the end of the worm the
latter can be turned to oscillate the segment to any nicety required to properly
adjust the size of the discharge opening of the nozzle by raising or lowering the
free edge of the valve.

page_text: SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed by
the said Willian Robert Lake in the Great Seal Patent Office on the
20th October 1881.
°
WILLIAM ROBERT LAKE, of the Firm of Haseltine, Lake, & Co., Patent
Agents, Southampton Buildings, London. "IMPROVEMENTS IN APPARATUS FOR
UTILIZING LIQUID OR GASEOUS HYDROCARBON AS FUEL IN FURNACES FOR
GENERATING STEAM, PUDDLING IRON, AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES." A communi-
cation from abroad by Joshua W. Houchin and Joshua R. Houchin, both of
Brooklyn, New York, United States of America, Engineers.
This Invention relates to improved apparatus by which any combustible gas,
such as ordinary coal-gas, or gas formed by the vaporization by heat, or otherwise,
of gasoline, naphtha, or other liquid hydrocarbons, alone and propelled by its own
force of expansion, or mixed before or at its point of combustion with steam, may
be consumed as fuel in a boiler furnace, in order to generate the requisite amount
of heat without the annoyance of dust, smoke, and cinders always accompanying
the use of solid fuel.
For this purpose various devices have been heretofore proposed. In one of these
devices the liquid was caused to evaporate by dropping upon a heated iron plate,
taking the place of the ordinary furnace-grate; in another no grate-plate is used,
but an injector is secured in the furnace wall through which the liquid fuel is
atomized by steam, and being. thus introduced in the form of a jet is ignited in the
furnace. To use hydrocarbon liquid mixed with steam as fuel for water boilers or
cooking pots was proposed as early as the year 1863, when short gas pipes,
provided with burners or jets at intervals, were attached radially around a central
gas chamber; but apparatus of this class as heretofore constructed, if used in steam
boiler furnaces, would rapidly be destroyed by exposure to the flame. Proper
provisions moreover were not made to utilize the full heating power of the gases
by the necessary admittance and regulation of a suitable supply of air.
It has been ascertained however that the best result is obtained when the liquid
is not atomized, but converted into real gas by heat in a suitable retort and burned
in numerous jets distributed uniformly over the grate surface.
To this end the present Invention is specially designed, its object being to
provide a new and improved apparatus by which the defects and objections of
such apparatus as heretofore constructed will be remedied and overcome.
The construction of the said apparatus is illustrated in the accompanying
Drawings, in which—
Figure 1 represents a longitudinal vertical section of a boiler furnace embodying
the present Invention, as arranged for mixing the gases before their exit in the jet
tubes; and
Figure is a plan or top view of the grate or main portion of the apparatus
detached from the said furnace.
Figure 3 is an end view of the air valve regulating mechanism.
Figure 4 represents a vertical section, drawn to an enlarged scale, of part of the
grate on the line a, x, Figure 2.
Figure 5 is a side view of some of the air valves, and the bar which supports the
same.
Figure 6 is an exterior end elevation of two of the gas jet tubes, shewing also
the inode of securing them to the grate-plate.
Figures 7 and 8 are plans or top views of the said tubes as they are arranged on
the grate plate, the latter view shewing two of their fastening bars.

page_text: apparavus as aanged for matng the gases at
their points of exit into the jet tubes.
Figure 10 is a transverse section of the same on the line y, y, Figure 9.
Figure 11 is a transverse section on the line v, v, Figure 9.
Figure 12 is a longitudinal vertical section on the line z, z, Figure 9, shewing
the gas chambers in section through one of their inlet pipes, that is to say, on the
line, z, Figures 9 and 10.
Figure 13 is a central vertical section, drawn to an enlarged scale on the line v, v,
Figure 9, of one of the gas jets tubes shewn therein.
The remaining Figures are hereinafter described.
The first part of this Invention comprises two modifications of the same generic
features, to adapt the apparatus to mixing the gases either before or at their exit in
the jet tubes of the grate.
The first of these modifications is illustrated in Figures 1 to 8 inclusive, and the
second in Figures 9 to 13 inclusive.
For fuel use either ordinary coal gas (in stationary boilers) or gas made by
heating liquid bydrocarbon in retorts within or without the boiler furnace according
to availability.
The retorts not forming a part of this Invention are not shewn in the Drawings.
The gas is introduced through the pipe a, and the steam through the pipe a¹ of
the injector A into the central receiver B, and gas and steam are similarly
introduced together by another injector (not shewn in the Drawings) through
connecting pipes b', b², into two separate receivers B', B, which are placed in line
with the central receiver B across one end of the furnace and grate, as shewn in
Figure 2. The gases thus mixed are distributed from the receivers or chambers B,
B', B2, through a series of parallel pipes barranged in the same plane and extending
to the opposite end of the furnace.
These pipes.b rest in semicircular grooves formed in the upper surface of the cast
iron grate-plate. C, and are provided with perforations at suitable distances apart to
connect each perforation with a corresponding gas jet tube D; the gaseous fuel as
it issues from the said gas jet tube is ignited. The tubes D are preferably of a
slightly conical shape, and are provided at their base with a lateral (or central)
channel d of ample size to admit a sufficient supply of air from underneath the
grate plate C to ensure complete combustion. For this purpose the plate C has an
opening or perforation c of the requisite size directly underneath each air passage d,
and in the lower end of the said opening c is formed a valve-seat c' to receive an
air-valve E.
Around the lower end of each tube D is formed in the casting a rectangular
base-flange d, by which the tube is supported evenly and in an upright position
upon the plate C, a semicircular groove being also formed across the underside of
the base-flanged to fit the upper semicircle of the pipe b, while the lower semi-
circle of the said pipe rests in the groove of the plate C, as above stated. The
tubes D (with the flanges d') being all of the same size and shape, it is evident
that in order to place them in proper position upon the plate C relatively to the air
passages in the said plate and to the perforations in the pipes b, it is only necessary,
after having adjusted one of them in position, to place them all side by side, as
shewn in Figures 7 and 8. In a stationary boiler they will retain their position
without further fastening, but in locomotive boilers the jolting and jerking produced
when the locomotive is travelling necessitate their being provided with extra
fastening. For this purpose shoulders d of equal height are formed upon the
flange don opposite sides of the tube, and iron bars Fare placed upon the rows of
shoulders (transversely, as shewn in Figures 6 and 8, or longitudinally, as shewn in
Figure 11) and secured to the grate plate by bolts fat intervals, as shewn in
Figures 6 and 6. The grate being thus composed of the plate C, the pipes b, and
the tubes D, is completed by filling all the interstices between the tubes D and
between them and the vertical edge-flanges of the plate C with fire clay G until the
surface becomes even with the upper end-plane of the tubes D.
This fire clay

page_text: affords to the body of the tubes I and to the pipes ba durable protection against
deterioration by the intense heat of the flames.
To admit the gaseous fuel only to the central portion of the grate surface, or only
to the side portions or to the whole surface at once, according to the intensity
required of the fire, the receivers or chambers B, B1, B2, are separated from each
other, as above stated and as shewn in Figure 2, and such arrangement is
considered the most desirable; the three chambers B, B1, B2, may however be
formed in one, extending across the width of the grate, as shown in Figures .9
and 10.
It is well known that while the illuminating capacity of gas decreases with an
admixture of air beyond a certain amount, the intensity of the heat increases for
a considerable range of proportions above that amount, and as the heating capacity,
or proportion of carbon to hydrogen, varies in different gases which may be used
as fuel, it is of the utmost importance to provide for a proper regulation of the air
supply, not only for obtaining the maximum amount of heat, but also for lowering
the fire or lessening the heat, as frequently becomes necessary.
For this purpose. I provide each of the air-channels c with the valve E, which
fits, when closed, the corresponding seat c¹. All these valves E, for each longi-
tudinal row of valve seats cl, are secured upon one common bar H, so that they
may be operated equally and simultaneously by evenly raising or lowering the
said bar.
.
.
The said bars are guided vertically by suitable cleats or guides h attached to the
underside of the plate C, and are connected as shewn in Figure 1 by pivotted
links (two for each bar) to bell cranks I fulcrummed upon a rod J, which latter
is placed horizontally underneath the bars H at right angles to them, and is
supported in end bearings j, attached on opposite sides to the furnace walls. The
lower ends of the bell cranks I are pivotted to a lever K, so that by pulling or
pushing the handle at of the latter the row of valves may be uniformly raised or
lowered.
The bell cranks for the bars H of the four outer rows of the valves (operating
in conjunction with the pipes b, connected to the receivers B, B,) are fastened by.
set screws or pins to the shaft or rod J, as shewn in Figure 3, so that they may all
be operated together by the same lever K; and the bell cranks for the bars H of
the two central rows or valves (working in conjunction with the pipes b connected
to the central chamber B) are allowed to turn loose upon the rod J, and are inter-
connected by cross rods L, to which a common lever M (similar to.the lever K) is
attached, so that by the said lever M the two central rows of valves may likewise
be operated together independently of the outer rows.
The valves E are preferably fastened to the bars H by lugs and cross pins, as
shewn in Figures 1, 4, and 5, or they may be fastened by being pivotted in a
socket in the bar by means of a pin or shank under the valve, as shewn in Figures
11, 12, and 13.
The mixed gas and steam at the point of exit from the pipe b, in the direction
of the arrow 1 (see Figure 4) mingles with the air entering as indicated by the
arrow 2, and is ignited at the upper end of the gas jet tube D. Instead of aixing
steam and gas by the injector A, it has been found expedient and advantageous to
keep them separate until they issue from the horizontal pipes into the tubes 1),
and both simultaneously commingle with the air passing through the openings
controlled by the valves E.
For this purpose, instead of using only one pipe b along each row of tubes D, I
place two pipes n and o (see Figures 9 to 13), alongside of each other, with the row'
of air passages d intervening (the said pipes being fitted between the tube-base and
the grate plate, in the same manner as above described) and .connect all the pipes n
to one chamber N (with or without partitions for separate central and side fires) for
receiving gas, which enters the said chamber through the inlet pipe n¹; I likewise
connect all the pipes o to a similar steam chamber O, having the inlet pipe o¹.
order to keep the pipes n, o, in the same horizontal plane, the chambers N; O, are
In

page_text: formed, as shewn in Figure 10, with their adjoining surfaces intermeshing, so that
the steam and gas pipes may be arranged in positions alternate to each other, as
they should be. By this modification the gas, steam, and air meet and commingle
first in the tube D, as indicated by the arrows 3, 4, and 5, respectively in
Figure 13.
The closed ends of pipes n, o, may be provided with nuts P to facilitate their
being turned by means of an ordinary wrench, and thus unscrewed from their
respective chambers n, o, in order to replace or repair one or more of them without
taking the grate apart.
I will now proceed to describe with reference to Figures 14 and 15 a modified,
simple, and effective device for supplying atomized bydrocarbon liquid as fuel in
furnaces in a manner calculated to ensure complete combustion (thus not attendant
with smoke and cinders) and without necessitating the use of exhaust steam to
promote the draught in the chimney.
Figure 14 represents this part of the said Invention as applied to a locomotive
boiler, the furnace being shewn in central longitudinal vertical section.
Figure 15 is an end view of the said boiler-furnace and apparatus, the latter
being partly broken away.
A designates the furnace; B, the smoke-box; and C, the smoke-stack or chimney
of an ordinary locomotive-boiler; D is an air-drum arranged in front of the smoke-
box B so as to receive heat from the latter; E is a valve for regulating the air
supply to the said drum D; F is an air flue leading from the drum D down between
the cylinders along and underneath the boiler and furnace A, extending throughout
the whole width of the latter, and terminating in the rear thereof in an upwardly
contracting bend closed at its upper end. Those walls of this flue which are
exposed to the outer air should be made double and filled with "slag-wool" or
other non-conducting material, as indicated in the portion thereof which is below
the furnace (see Figure 14), where ƒ designates the inner end, f¹ the outer plate
which forms the double wall, and s the filling between them.
In the upper rear end of the flue F are laterally opposite openings G which
constitute the central inlets to the casings H of two fans I secured upon the same
shaft J; this shaft is revolved by a pulley K and belt I. from a larger pulley M
driven by a small separate engine or other suitable power. The ordinary tangential
outlet pipes N of the fans I are arranged to enter the rear end of the furnace A,
as shewn.
The furnace A, or the lower portion (or actual fire-pot) thereof is lined with fire
brick a, and partly covered with an arched fire-bridge O, also made of fire-brick,
and inclining forward toward the lower edge of the boiler-tube-plate in about the
manner shewn. P is a central pipe connected to convey petroleum or other liquid
hydrocarbon from a suitable tank to two branch pipes R leading one to each of the
outlets of the fans I, and ending preferably within the outlet openings of the
pipes M.; each of these pipes Q is provided with a stop cock R. The operation of
the apparatus is as follows, that is to say :-The air entering the valve E ou top of
the drum D, and heated (from the box B, the boiler and the furnace A) during its
passage through the air flue F is drawn in by the fans I in the direction of the
arrow 1, and discharged through the outlets N into the furnace.
The liquid hydrocarbon entering through the pipes P, Q, is beaten into atoms by
the current caused by the rapidly revolving fans I, and being vaporized by the
warm air from the flue F, unites with the said air in the shape of a highly inflam-
mable fog whirling around, in about the manner indicatei by the arrow 2 before
passing the fire bridge O, and is thoroughly burned or consumed, imparting its heat
to the boiler, the air current being free from smoke when reaching the chimney C.
To counteract the cooling effect of the reactionary circulation of the air, in the
flue F, due to the rapid forward motion of the locomotive, the air supply regulating
valve E is arranged on the drum D, as shewn; but for a stationary furnace, the said
valve E may be applied in any other suitable part of the flue F, though the
arrangement shewn is preferable.

page_text: The apparatus thus far described is more especially applicable for the rapid and
economical generation of steam in boilers. With reference to Figures 16 to 22
however, I will now proceed to describe improved means for smelting and decar-
bonizing pig iron in puddling and other furnaces for its conversion into the
malleable grades of steel and bar iron:
For this purpose the second part of this Invention consists in the construction
and combination of parts, whereby the intense heat' required is concentrated in the
puddling-trough of the furnace, while the temperature near the inlet for the fuel is
comparatively low, in order to protect the pipes and nozzles from injury by too
great a heat, and a blast of air properly applied and regulated is supplied for the
necessary conversion of the liberated carbon into carbonic acid and its complete
combustion.
Figure 16 represents a longitudinal vertical section of a puddling furnace
embodying this part of the said Invention, and
Figure 17 is a transverse vertical section of the same on the line x, x, Figure 16,
looking in the direction of the arrow I.
Figure 18 is a horizontal section of the said furnace on the line y, y, Figure 16.. :
Figure 19 is a horizontal section of the upper air valve nozzle on the line 2; 2,
Figure 16, and drawn to an enlarged scale, and
Figure 20 is a transverse section of the same on the line v, v, Figure 19.
Figure 21 is a detail cross section on the line w, w, Figure 18, of one of the
lower or atomizing nozzles with air valves drawu to an enlarged scale, and
1. Figure 22 is a longitudinal section of the same on the line u, u, Figure 21.
The furnace is an oblong fire brick structure as seen in the Drawings, A being
the puddling-trough bordered by the side walls of the furnace and the bridge
walls; B, C, D, is the front end wall through which the fuel and blast are admitted;
E, the escape flue to the chimney, and F, the chimney at the rear end of the furnace.
The flue E, instead of running in a continuous straight line from the puddling-
trough to the chimney, is extended by the interposition of an arched flue and air
heating chamber G in the shape of an inverted U standing upon the ground, its
space being; confined by the side walls of the furnace, the inner central arch g, the
outer arch or roof g¹, the bridge wall C, and the rear end wall H. The floor or
bottom of the flue E extends from the chimney clear across the flue G to the wall
of the inner arch g, thus forming a horizontal position in the rear leg of the
arched flue G and a chamber 1 below the said partition. Through the rear wall H
is inserted the discharge tube J of a revolving fan or other blowing engine. In
the flue or chamber G are arranged a series of air pipes i curved to conform to the
shape of the flue. The rear ends of these pipes are fastened through the partition e
and open into the chamber I, and the front ends of the said pipes are connected to
a larger pipe or drum K placed across the furnace in the lower end of the front leg
of the flue G. One or more other pipes L, closed at their outer ends, connect with
this drum K and extend thence along and underneath the furnace to and through
the front wall D, projecting beyond the said wall sufficiently to allow of attaching
to them one or more upright pipes to which, are connected one or more atomizing
nozzles M, and also the upper air valve nozzle N.
.
•
--These nozzles M, N, are inserted in the furnace wall D, their extreme inner ends
being flush with the inside of the said wall. I prefer to make the furnace of about
tlie relative proportions shown in the Drawings, and to employ two atomizing
nozzles M arranging the hydrocarbon pipes o with their ends within the end-
openings of the said nozzles and nearest to the upper edge of the said openings,
so that when the valve o in the pipe O leading from the oil reservoir to the
distributing pipes o is open, the oil issuing from the pipes o is intercepted as it
falls and blown into atoms by the air jets issuing from the said nozzles M.
The pipe-coupling, by which the nozzle is attached, is provided with a transverse
guide groove in which a gate valve m is fitted to slide, as shown in Figures 21
and 22, for use in regulating the air supply to produce proper vaporization.
The space between the bridge wall B and the front wall D is provided with a

page_text: bricked vault R forming a furnace floor whose surface is a little below that of the
puddling trough A. When a heavy or less volatile hydrocarbon oil or liquid, such
as crude petroleum, is used for fuel, it is necessary in order to kindle it to make a
small fire with coal or wood on the floor R, the kindling fuel being fed in through
the hand hole at one end of the kindling box, whose sides are formed of the
wall D and the fire bridge S. The latter, built upon the bridge wall B; is made
curved and inclining toward the end wall D so as to make the kindling box much
narrower above than below. The upper part of the concave side of the bridge S
is rounded off by a convex curve at 8, the two curves forming a continuous even
live resembling the "cyma" of architecture. The atomizing nozzles M enter the
widest part of the kindling box a little above the floor R, and the hydrocarbon
vapors partly ignite, whirl about, recoil from the fire bridge in the direction of the
arrows, and contract and mix thoroughly in passing through the narrow part of
the kindling box, until in passing over the top of the bridge S they encounter
the sheet-jet of air which from the nozzle N passes at a tangent to the upper rear
edge of the bridge at a downward inclination, impinging upon the iron in the
trough A. On meeting the upper air jet, the vapors become thoroughly ignited, and
the intensity of the heat increases considerably when they reach the trough, while the
temperature in the kindling box is comparatively low as desired, to prevent
burning the nozzles.
The heated air from the furnace before reaching the chimney F through the
narrow escape flue E expands in the flue or chamber G, and communicates its
heat to the series of curved pipes i, drum K, and pipes L, thereby heating the
blast, which entering the chamber I through the tube J passes through the pipes i,
K, L, and to the nozzles M, N.
The nozzle N consists of a cast iron box with an oblong or rectangular opening
extending across the full inside width of the furnace, and having on the outside
two nipples n for receiving the upper ends of the pipes l. A flat oscillating
damper or gate valve P fitting the nozzle, as shewn in Figures 19 and 20, is hinged
or pivoted by being fastened upon a rod or pin p, having its bearings in the
opposite ends of the nozzle above the outline of the air current. One end of the
ŕod p projects through the end wall of the nozzle N, and has secured upon it a
toothed segment T in gear with a worm Q, which has its bearings in a suitable
bracket cast or attached to the nozzle N by a hand crank q upon the end of
the said worm Q; the latter can be turned to oscillate the segment T to any nicety
required to properly adjust the size of the discharge opening of the nozzle by
raising or lowering the free edge of the valve P.
a designates the usual side door of the furnace, through which the iron is
accessible for poking, and the slag is raked out.
Having thus fully described the said Invention, as communicated to me by my
foreign correspondents, and the manner of performing the same, I wish it understood
that I claim with reference to the apparatus shewn in Figures 1 to 13,-
First. In a boiler furnace provided with one or more chambers having attached
to them a series of perforated distributing pipes arranged in a plane parallel with
the grate surface, the combination of the series of separate gas-jet tubes D having
air channels d, the grate plate having the perforations c, and the series of air-
valves E having their seats in the perforations c, the said tubes D being placed on
the grate plate C, side by side, one above each perforation of the distributing
pipes, with their air channels done above each channel c, and its subjacent valve E,
substantially as above set forth and for the purposes specified.
Second. In a boiler furnace the combination of the gas chamber N and the
steam chamber () provided with their respective perforated distributing pipes n, o,
arranged, as shewn in Figure 10, alternately, in the same plane paralled with the
grate surface, with a series of gas jet tubes placed above every pair (o, n,) of the
said gas and steam pipes, and provided with valved air channels adjacent to
the said perforations and pair of pipes for the purpose of cominingling the gases
at or about their points of ignition, substantially as herein before set forth.

page_text: Third. A fire grate for gaseous fuel consisting of the combination of the
perforated plate C, the pipes b, (or n, o,) the gas jet tubes D, having the air
channels & and the fire clay filling G, substantially as above set forth and for the
purpose specified.
Fourth. The combination with the perforated grate plate C, the tubes D, and
the pipes b (or n, o,) of the series of air valves E attached to a common supporting
bar H operated by suitable levers i, I, K, to raise and lower the said valves
uniformly and simultaneously, substantially as above set forth and for the purposes
specified.
Fifth. The combination, shewn in Figure 3, of the side bars H of the lateral
series of valves E, having their bell cranks I secured upon the rock shaft J, and
operated by the lever K with the intermediate bars H of the central series of
valves E, having their bell cranks I fitted to turn loosely upon the said shaft J
and operated by the lever M for the purpose of regulating the air supply to the
sides and to the middle part of the furnace separately or simultaneously, sub-
stantially as above set forth.
Sixth. The gas jet tubes D having rectangular base flanges di of uniform size to
adapt them to be brought in proper position relatively to the gas and air opening
in the pipes b and grate plate C by simply placing them side by side, as in Figure 7;
substantially as above set forth.
Seventh. The tubes D provided with rectangular base flanges having
shoulders of equal height at opposite sides of the tube in combination with the
bars, the bolts f, and the grate plate C for securing the tubes D to the said
plate C, substantially as above set forth and for the purposes specified.
With reference to the apparatus shewn in Figures 14 and 15 I claim,―
Eighth. The combination with a furnace A of one or more revolving fans I
discharging into the said furnace, and one or more pipes supplying liquid hydro-
carbon into the outlet of the said fan or fans, substantially as above set forth and
for the purpose specified.
Ninth. The air flue F continuous from the front of the boiler to the rear of and
in proximity to the furnace in combination with the laterally opposite fans I
secured upon a common shaft J revolving in the said flue F, and having their
outlets N into the furnace, the liquid fuel supply pipes P, Q, discharging into the
outlets N of the said fans I and the inclined fire bridge O, substantially as above
set forth and for the purpose specified.
Tenth. The valve E arranged upon the inlet drum D in front of the boiler in
combination with the flue F, the fans I, the pipes, and the furnace A, substantially
as above set forth and for the purpose specified.
And with reference to the apparatus shewn in Figures 16 to 22 I claim,—
Eleventh. In a hydrocarbon furnace the combination of one or more liquid
vaporizing nozzles entering the lower part of the kindling box with a superjacent
air nozzle arranged to intercept the vapors as they pass from the kindling box into
the body of the furnace, substantially as above set forth.
Twelfth. In a hydrocarbon furnace the combination of one or more vaporizing
- nozzles having the air valves m and the feed pipes conveying liquid fuel to the
mouth of the said nozzle or nozzles with a superjacent adjustable nozzle arranged
to direct a sheet jet of blast over the fire-bridge into the body of the furnace,
substantially as above set forth.
Thirteenth. In a hydrocarbon furnace the combination of one or more liquid
vaporizing nozzles M with a separate air blast nozzle N arranged to act upon the
vapors as they enter the body of the furnace.
Fourteenth. In combination with a hydrocarbon furnace the air blast nozzle N
extending about the full interior width of the furnace, and provided with an
adjustable valve P to regulate the thickness of the jet and discharge opening
without affecting its width, substantially as above set forth.
Fifteenth. In a hydrocarbon furnace the blast heating flue G interposed in the

page_text: escape flue E between the furnace proper and the chimney, in combination with
the air pipes i, K, L, and their inlet and outlet pipes J, l, substantially as
specified,
In witness whereof, I, the said William Robert Lake, bave hereunto set my
hand and seal, this Twentieth day of October, in the year of our Lord One
thousand eight-hundred and eighty one.
WM. ROBT. LAKE. (L.S.)