IMPROVEMENTS IN THE MANUFACTURE OF COKE
Year: 1854

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to George Appolt, of Sulzbach, in the Kingdom of
Prussia, and Charles Appolt, of Metz, in the Empire of France, for the
Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN THE MANUFACTURE OF COKE."
Sealed the 12th May 1854, and dated the 10th March 1854.
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION filed by the said George Appolt and Charles
Appolt at the Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with their Petition
and Declaration, on the 10th March 1854, pursuant to the 9th Section*
of the Patent Law Amendment Act 1852.
TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, we, GEORGE
APPOLT, of Sulzbach, in the Kingdom of Prussia, and CHARLES APPOLT, of
Metz, in the Empire of France, do hereby declare that the nature of the said
Invention for "IMPROVEMENTS IN THE MANUFACTURE OF COKE," and in what
manner the same is to be performed, to be particularly described and ascertained
in and by the following statement thereof, that is to say:-
The oven we have invented is illustrated on two Sheet, with Drawings
filed up to the present description. Fig. I. represents a perpendicular section,
according to the line A, B, of Fig. three. Fig. II. represents a perpendicular
section, according to the line G, H, of Fig. three. Fig. III. represents a
horizontal section, according to the line C, D, of Fig. one. Fig. IV. represents
a horizontal section, according to the line E, F, of Fig. one.
Fig. V.

page_text: represents a perpendicular section through one of the longer sides of the com-
partments, according to the line J, K, of Fig. three. Fig. VI. represents a
perpendicular section through one of the shorter sides of the compartments,
according to the line L, M, of Fig. three. Fig. VII. exposes one of the trap-
doors in its perpendicular section through the length. Fig. VIII. shows one of
the trap-doors in its perpendicular section through the breadth. Fig. IX.
shows the same, but on another place. Fig. X. exposes a turning cylinder.
with its contrivances, in a perpendicular section through its length. Fig. XI.
shows the horizontal's section of a waggon in its superior part. The same
letters indicate, on all Drawings, the same object.
The initial G represents the front, and initial H the back part of the oven.
The Figures 1, 2, 3, and 4 are executed according to the scale of one to
fourty, and the Figures 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, and 11 according to the scale of one
to twenty.
The oven consists essentially of a clear inward space of 17 ft. 2 inch length,
and 16 ft. 9 inch breadth, enclosed by a wall of 5 ft. 5 inch thick, and 20 ft.
high, which space is, however, divided by partition walls in 18 oblong squares
or compartments A, in the shape of chimneys. The oven consists consequently
of 6 ranges of compartments in depth and 3 in front, as the Fig. 3 and 4 show.
The aforesaid compartments or carbonization spaces measure at the bottom a
diameter inside of 4 ft. 1 inch, according to their length, and 1 ft. 6 in.,
according to their breadth. In their upper part, a diameter inside of 3 ft.
9 in. according to their length, and 1 ft. 2 in., according to their breadth; they
diminish consequently in such a manner that their walls draw near at the
upper part about 4 inch. The chief aim of this diminishing construction is to
facilitate the discharge of the coke. The walls run thus in the aforesaid
diminishing direction up to a hight of 11 ft., after which the 2 longer walls B
elevate in a perpendicular direction, whilst the shorter walls C converge in a
higher degree, forming in such a manner an aperture of 1 ft. 2 inch □, by
the total hight of 13 ft. 2 inch of the compartments.
The whole inside of the oven exposed to the fire, and especially the walls of
the compartments, are constructed of fire bricks.
The walls are 6 inch thick; they are reciprocally strengthened and sup-
ported by stretchers d, reaching from one wall to another, and immured in
.both. The exterior wall of the oven consists of three parts:-
1°, of an inward lining wall (e) constructed of fire bricks 8 inch strong;
2°, of a hollow space (f) 4 inch; and
3°; of a wall constructed of wall stones (9) 4 ft. 4 inch strong.
The stretchers reach from the partition walls which face the lining wall e

page_text: into the latter, which on its turn is. united. with the outward wall g by
stretchers, thus giving room. to the extention of the oven if occasioned by the
heat: The hollow space (f) has been left, in order to facilitate the said exten-
tion; the latter may, however, be suppressed if the stretchers reaching into the
lining wall (e) are not strongly fixed, leaving at their end a scope of 3 a 4 inch,
in order to give room to the extention of the inwardly.heated part of the oven.
The stretchers are applied on the partition walls in convenient distances, the
Fig. 5 and 6 showing distinctly their number and disposition, and Fig. 1 and
3: their communication with the lining wall. The oven acquires through
such a system of conjunctions a great strength and capacity to resist a pressure
from any quarter. The lower parts of the compartment walls up to a hight
of 4 ft. 4 inch are pierced by numerous, though not very large crevices, in the form
of rifts or fissures i, through which the gases deployed during the carboniza->
tion process stream forth into the empty spaces; (h) between thee compartments,
in order to burn after having been brought into communication with a
sufficient quantity of atmospheric air, thus effecting the calefaction of the oven.>
These fissures (i) are 2 inch high by a breadth of inch; they are disposed
horizontally, and their number and disposition can be seen in Fig. 5 and 6,..
partly also in Fig. 1. .
1.They can only be placed on the lower part of the compartments, experience
having tought us that it is the best way to heat the oven uniformly, the
ascendant gases having the property to communicate the heat particularly
upwards. Experience has likewise shown us that an obstruction of the.
crevices takes not place.
As the Drawing shows it, the empty spaces (h) grow wider in proportion as
the compartments contract; the middle diameter of the former is 5 inch.
The compartments are covered above with covercles (k) of cast iron inlayd with
fire bricks, and provided with 2 handles to facilitate their remotion; they are
also furnished with short pipes (1), which may be, according to circumstances,
closed, or through which a portion of the gases deployed in the compartments
are conducted, or by means of a sucking apparatus drawn into a condensator.
The spaces between the upper part of the compartment walls, where the latter
converge, are lined with bricks up to a hight of 6 inch above the covercles,
though in such a manner that hollow spaces (n¹) remain, as Fig. 1 shows; these
spaces are filled out with ashes, in order to prevent radiation of heat. The
platform stones are covred with plates of cast iron (o'), forming a cover to step
The lower part of the compartments are shut up by means of a
plate of cast iron (p) fastened with two bolts (r), and moveable by dint of a hinge
(s); the lower part of the oven consists of the two side walls (9), and two middle
upon.
strong

page_text: walls (m). The arches (n) depart from the side walls joining upon the middle
walls, and leaving between them a space a little larger than the lower aperture
of the compartments. The arches of the front and back part of the oven n, n,
are much larger, having to support the weight of the front and back part of
the enclosure walls. This arrangement is to be seen in Fig. 4 and in Fig. 1,
which shows the arches in pointed lines.
The breadth of the middle walls is 1 ft. 1 inch, the breadth of the arches
10 inchs; the latter have a thickness of 1 ft. 8 in³. (length of the keystone),
and a vaulting of 1 ft. 2 inch; they are constructed like the middle walls, of bricks
or freestone. Tubes of cast iron (o) are immured in the arches of 3 inchs diameter
in the clear; they run through the midst of the arches in order to provide the
spaces between the compartments with sufficient air to effect the combustion of
the gases. Several tubes, running in an oblique direction, are applied through
the middle walls to the same purpose.
Thick plates of cast iron (9), 1 inch thick, repose horizontally, partly upon the
arches, partly upon the middle walls, and partly upon the side walls. Their
destination is to support the compartments constructed upon them in such
a manner that thier oblong square openings correspond with the lower aper-
ture of the compartments. The opening of the plates is a little larger than
the aperture of the compartments, in order to prevent any obstacle arising from
a distention of the compartment walls occasioned by the heat which would
otherwise have the effect to render difficult the discharging of the coke. Each
compartment reposes upon its own plate. The latter join upon the arches
and middle walls, leaving, however, a little space between them in order
to give room if the heat occasions an expansion. They are provided with
holes corresponding with the above-mentioned tubes (o).
The moveable trap-doors (p) are fastened to the plates (9) by means of
hinges (s), see Fig. 8. The trap-doors are, as the Drawing shows it, fastened
to the immured plates (9), by means of three strong hoops (t) of wrought iron,
as well as with two strong bolts (2), with the corresponding buckles. An
iron bar (u) is passed through the hinge (s), as it is to be seen in its section in
Fig. 8 and in Fig. 2. The end of the hoops of the trap-doors are now bend
around and strongly fastened to the said bar, in such a manner that if the bar
is turned the trap-door turns also.
The said bars placed in a horizontal position repose in shaft cushions of cast
iron (v), Fig. 2, and are immured in convenable distances within the side wall.
The bars for the middle row of compartments lie all in one of the side walls
only, as Fig. 2 shows. They are thus disposed that they open the trap-doors
of this row of compartments in opposite direction. The object of this dis-

page_text: position is to prevent the bars of the middle row of trap-doors to hinder the
opening of those exteriorly situated.
Another mode could also be adopted in lieu of the just described bars
piercing the walls of the oven, viz., if each trap-door would be furnished with a
quadrangular diminishing tenon, and if from without through the wall a bar
furnished with a diminishing quadrangular deepening, about like a pianoforte
tunning-hammer, would be showed over the said tenon, and turned by means
of wheel work. This mode would have the advantage to spare much iron. A
strong wooden scaffold of convenable breadth runs along the both side walls of
the oven, a little under the outstanding ends of the bars. This scaffold is fur-
nished with rails upon which a moveable mechanism, consisting of several
wheels with crank, can be moved to and fro. The axle of one of these wheels,
perforated in a quadrangular form, can be showed over the quadrangular
beginning of the bar, so that the latter, and consequently the trap-door, may
be moved as soon as the crank is turned. The wheel work is combined in
such a manner that the strength of one man is sufficient to turn the crank to
lift the trap-door with the coke upon it, and to let it down softly. We deem it
not necessary to give a further description, or a Drawing of such a wheel work.
as it can be combined in different manners at pleasure. The railroads (2), run-
ning through the length of the oven, are laid down upon the ground, see
Fig. 1.
A strong iron waggon w, of a convenable seize, to receive easely the
volumen of coke which is to be discharged out of one of the compartments, is
pushed on the rails under it. This waggon is furnished with the mechanism
required to move the bolts of the trap-doors, as a horizontal section of the
upper part of the waggon (w) shows it in Fig. 11. Two iron bars (a) with hilts
run along the longer sides of the waggon, supported by shaft cushions, which
are fixed to the latter. The bars are bent in a rectangular form around the
back edges of the waggon, and repose upon a prop (y). If it is necessary to
push the bolt of the trap-door, the waggon is forthwith placed in such a
position under the compartment, that if the rectangular end of one bar receives
by means of a turn of the hilt a nearly perpendicular position, it comes to
stand just opposite to the proeminent part of the bolt, which can be pushed
.back by a thrust of the bar, after which the latter is laid into its former
position. The same takes place with the other bar and the other bolt. The
bars are of such a length that the workman need not to step out from below
the front and back arches (n, n,) in order to perform the just described opera-
tion, even if the waggon should happen to be placed under one of the middle
compartments. The trap-door with coke upon it has, during the opening of
.the bolts, been secured by means of the above described wheel work. The

page_text: operation with the bolts performed, the waggon is forthwith drawn back in
such a position that its midst corresponds nearly with the midst of the com-
partment; the trap-door is hereafter slowly lowered, and the coke discharged
into the waggon. This operation performed, the trap-door is again pushed
against the plates, the bolts taken from behind with the waggon bars, and
drawn into their buckles. The waggon is drawn from under the oven, covered
with its iron covercles, and left quiet till the coke is sufficiently cooled, which
can be prompted if the waggon is sprinkled with water.. We abstain from
giving a further description or a Drawing of the waggon, it being a matter of
individual opinion to prefer one construction to another. It is, however, advi-
'sable to provide it with a strong spiral spring, or with any other contrivance of
this kind, in order to brake the shock of the down falling masses: The oven
is open at its front and back part. G and H, under the arches (n, n), and is it
thus rendered possible to draw the waggons within and without. Two over-
arched entrances (a¹), Fig. 2, are placed within both side walls, with corre-
'sponding similar passages in the middle walls, in order to get admittance
under the oven, and to obviate irregularities which may occur with the opening
aparatus.
"T
The empty spaces (h) are mured up from below to a hight of 1 ft. 1'inch, as
Fig. 1 schows it. The object of this wall is to protect the cast iron plates
lying underneath against the strong heat, and on the other hand' to prevent
the radiation of heat downwards. Canals, ordinarily closed from without, with
stones in the same hight of 1 ft. 1 in. from the soil opposite to the empty
spaces, and placed within the four exterior walls, have the object to facilitate
the cleaning from dust and ashes, which may accumulate now and then within
the empty spaces, see Fig. 2, sub lit C. Cast iron tubes of a diameter of 3
inch are inlayd within the four walls in a hight of 2 f. 2 in., 5 ft. 5 in., and 8 ft.
9 in³ from the trap-doors, and also situated opposite to the empty spaces. They
are to be seen in their intersectional profile in Fig. 2, and are marked (C¹).
The said tubes are applied in order to observe the progress within the oven,
and on the other hand, on purpose of admitting, according to circumstances,
air to facilitate the entire combustion. The said tubes are generally closed at
their extremity with a stopper, and pierce the wall in a depth of about 3 ft.
10 in. from without, forming a canal lined with bricks, and continuing through
the empty space and lining wall, a region in which metal tubes would soon be
affected. The combustion of the gases having taken place within the empty
spaces, they are led by means of fire canals into the chimneys. Each of the
side walls of the oven contain six such fire canals in two different elevations.
The 3 lower fire canals (d'), of a space of 11 inch □ depart, as Fig. 1 shows,

page_text: from the lowest part of the empty space next to the wall e, and continue, in an
.horizontal direction through. the latter and the hollow space into the midst
of wall (9), taking afterwards a vertical course; whereas, the three upper fire
canals (d") of a diameter of 9 in. depart, 8 ft. 5 in' over the trap-doors, of the
compartments from the empty space, first in a horizontal and afterwards in a
perpendicular direction within the wall (9). The situation of these fire canals
appears in Fig. 3, in which the lower are to be seen in their section, whilst
the other are hinted by pointed lines. They are further drawn in Fig. 2, in a
vertical section.
All the fire canals enter first in a lower horizontal canal (e¹), from which two
vertical fire canals (d) emerge in a second-horizontal canal (e) upwards
situated. The said two canals communicate with the chimney (f); the lower is
high.1 ft. 4 in. and large 11 in.; the upper high 9 in. by a breadth of 4 ft... i
A contrivance consisting in two cylinders, on purpose of drying and heating
previously the coals, is placed in a certain hight over the upper canal. The
said cylinders (g), which are provided on both extremities with bottoms riveted
in them are of strong. sheet iron 3 ft. 10 in. long with a diameter of 3 f. 3 in.
in the clear; they are to be seen in a vertical section and according to their
breadth in Fig. 2 and in Fig. 10 in a vertical section, according to their length
from one axis to the other. The side wall (9) of the oven is elevated above its
platform, in order to support the cylinders; it contains also room enough to
enclose the upper canal (e¹¹), as Fig. 1 shows. The cylinder lies across the
canal, supported by two tenons. (k) fixed in the midst of the bottoms. One of
these tenons is hollow and open, in onder to leave room to the escaping steam
of water, but the other massive, and furnished without the wall with a star
wheel of cast iron (h¹), wherewith the cylinder can be turned, see Fig. 10. The
tenons turn within shaft cushions (¹) of a proper metal, which are immured.
Each of the bottoms is furnished with a door (7), moveable by means of hinges,
and which may be closed with bolts. The wet coals are entered through one of
the said doors and discharged through the other, after the heating and drying
process is terminated. A moveable covercle (m³) of strong sheet iron lays over
the cylinder; its objet is to prevent the exit of the heated gases on their
.way towards the chimney, and 'on the other hand to prevent a cooling of the
cylinder from above. A strong wooden scaffold furnished with rails runs along
the side wall a little below the cylinder, upon which the washed coals to be
filled into the former can be conveyed. A lever or any contrivance of this
kind situated in a convenable hight abowe the cylinder lifts the latter in such a
manner that its downwards inclined end lies high enough to feed with its load
of heated coals, and by means of a sheet metal kennel, the compartments.

page_text: dint of which the cylinders are set into motion, as being objects contrivable in
different manners. All the fire canals are furnished with dampers (p¹), of which
some are to be seen in Fig. 1.
The heated gases coming from the oven may, according to circumstances,
be directed below the cylinders with the purpose to heat them, and from there
into the chimney; or, if the cylinders are discharging, through the lower
horizontal canal directly into it.
MANNER TO PROCEED WITH THE OVEN.
The trap-doors of the compartments must be entirely opened, and a move-
able fire-box of strong sheet iron, inwardly lined with fire bricks, and furnished
in its lower part with a grate, must be pushed 3 a 4 in' deep into thelower
part of the compartments, in order to begin to heat the oven; that means to
say, to bring it into the required red heat, after having before been cautiously
dried up. The fire box may be fastened on one side to the buckles of the
bolts, and supported on the other side by an iron bar introduced provisorily to
this purpose within the walls. The coals are forthwith thrown through the
upper opening of the compartments, in order to stir the fire, and the covercle
of the latter again closed. The flames will then brake forth through the
fissures of the compartments, and heaten the oven very soon in a convenable
and uniform red heat. The fire boxes are now taken off from the first row of
compartments in intervals of one hour, the trap-doors closed, and the lower
part of the compartments filled up to a hight of 1 ft. with ashes and small
pieces of coke, on purpose of preventing the calefaction of the trap-doors, and
on the other hand to hinder the radiation of heat downwards.
The compartments are hereafter fed from above with coal up to a hight of
2 ft. 2 in" below the covercles which are set up. The same operation takes
place with the third, fifth, and then with the second, fourth, and sixth row, so
that after each hour one compartment, and in 18 hours the whole oven gets
filled. It depends from the quality of the coal if the process of carbonization,
which must always be in relation with the material, requires a filling up in
longer or shorter intervals. The removal of the fire boxes can be done in an
easy manner through the openings applied within the side and middle walls.
The streaming forth of the gases through the fissures of the first-fed com-
partments having ceased, what may easely be ascertained by means of the
observation tubes, the process of carbonization may be considered as finished,
and the formed coke are so forth discharged and removed from below the oven,
-as described before. Immediately afterwards, the empty compartments. are

page_text: again filled. If the case happens that the coals which are to be treated contain
a great quantity of hydrogen, and deploy, consequently, much gas, a part of it
may in this case be conducted into a condensator, in order to obtain ammoniac
and tar. This operation takes place by means of the already mentioned pipe
applied to the covercle. It is, however, necessary, that the gases streame out
of the fissures with a sufficient-strength to prevent the entering of air, and to
maintain the oven in the desirable degree of heat. The above described mode
of filling the rows of compartments by turns offers the great advantage that the
said compartments assist one another reciprocally in heating the oven, those
recently fed and deploying a maximum of gas being placed next to those in
which the process of gas deployment has considerably abated. The operation
of carbonization is further thus accelerated, that the coal is not only used in a
perfect dry state, but even heated to two or three hundred degrees Reaumur..
This object is obtained by means of the aparatus above described without
expense of a special fewel, and without decomposition of the coal. The two
cylinders filled up to th of their capacity contain as much as one of the com-
partments; th of the inward room must remain empty in order to mingle, by
the turning of the cylinders, the coals in such a manner that their calefaction
takes place uniformly. It would be advantageous to heaten the coals pre-
viously, even if those to be treated should be of such a good quality that washing
would not be required. Should, finally, the case happen that both operations
should be deemed unnecessary, then the cylinder aparatus, as well as the
upper fire canal, could of course be omitted, and the lower canal (e') would
alone remain.
As the gases drawing towards the chimneys, after having heatened the
cylinders, retain yet a high degree of temperature, they may, if required, serve
to generate in a steam apparatus the steam of a small engine, by means of
which the cylinders be turned, the coales heaved upon the oven, and other
mechanic works done.
After having given a minute description of the oven and its details, and
shown the manner how to proced with it, we declare that we do not mean to
bind ourselves, as far as it may be done, without prejudice to the stated prin-
ciples, to the given dimentions.
We, consequently, make the following reserves:-To augment or to diminish
the number of compartments; to give them a different seize in hight and
diameter; to construct them in their horizontal section in regular squares in
lieu of the described oblong square form; to round off, more or less, the corners
of the compartments; to give to the latter a more or less diminishing form;
to build the inner or the outer walls more or less strong; to employ fire bricks

page_text: and stretchers of more or less diameter in length and in breadth; to modify
the number and the dimention of the fissures applied to the compartments; to
give them, according to circumstances, an oblique in lieu of a horizontal position;
to enlarge or to contract the spaces between the compartments; to change the
number and the dimention of the fire canals and chimneys; to modify the
dimention of the turning cylinders. The construction of the compartments
may also, without prejudice to the aforesaid principles, thus be altered, that
they may be build in a greater dimention, viz., they may obtain 4 ft. 4 in.
in o, whereas they may be provided with an inward quadranglar heating
chamber of smaller dimention with an exteriour diameter of 2 ft. 2 in., reposing
upon a strong iron arch: A part of the gases stream. fortwith through the
fissures of the chamber; within its empty space, in order to burn there under
admission of atmospheric air from below, whilst a great part of the gases
penetrate through the fissures of the compartments into the empty spaces,
the said fissures being disposed in the same manner as those described in our
Specification. We need not to add that this latter part of the gases undergoes
the same process of combustion. The coals are fed between the inward
compartiment walls and the outer chamber walls, and as the heat works upon
them from within and without, through the walls, they are very soon reduced
into a state of carbonization. This construction offers the advantage to
occupy a little less space by an eaqual-quantity of coals; but it has other
disadvantages and inconveniences which induce us to prefer the described
construction.
We claim, finally, as new and original in our Invention,―
1mo. The division of the space of our oven in small compartments, by means
of partition walls, through which the object is attained, that the heat penetrates
in a very short time the masses of coal, and effects their carbonization, which
operation is facilitated by the quadrangular form of the compartment.
2°. The vertical position of the compártments occupying in proportion of their
great hight, a very small basis, whilst the contrary takes place with other ovens
in practice.
"
-8°. The mutual support of the partition walls by a system of immured
stretchers, through which the oven acquires, in spite of the small breadth of
its partition walls, a sufficient strength to resist perfectly any commotion
pressure..
or
4°. The formation of a very extensive surface within the oven exposed to
the fire, by which the carbonization process is accelerated, and a great power
of carbonization concentrated within a comparatively small space.
5°. The generation of heat within many empty spaces by means of the com-

page_text: bustion of gases, through which the oven is at once strongly and uniformly
heated.
6°. The exclusion of all atmospheric air within the proper carbonization
spaces, since the gases may stream forth through the fissures whilst air is
excluded, each compartment forming thus in a manner an open and a closed
case.
7°. The previous heating of the coals to be treated by means of a turning
cylinder.
In witness whereof, we, the said George Appolt and Charles Appolt,
have hereunto set our hands and seals, this Ninth day of March,
in the year of our Lord One thousand eight hundred and fifty-four.
Witness,
S. CARPMAEL.
GEORGE APPOLT.
(L.S.)
CHARLES APPOLT. (L.S.)