IMPROVEMENTS IN THE APPLICATION AND CONSUMPTION OF FUEL IN FURNACES AND FIRE-PLACES, AND IN APPARATUS THEREFOR
Year: 1875

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to William Simpson, of the City of London,
Merchant, for the Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN THE APPLICATION
AND CONSUMPTION OF FUEL IN FURNACES AND FIRE-PLACES, AND IN APPARATUS
THEREFOR."-A communication from abroad by George Kemble
Stevenson, of Valparaiso, in the Republic of Chili, Engineer.
.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said William Simpson at
the Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on
the 22nd May 1875.
'
I, WILLIAM SIMPSON, of the City of London, Merchant, do hereby
declare the nature of the said Invention for "IMPROVEMENTS IN THE
APPLICATION AND CONSUMPTION OF FUEL IN FURNACES AND FIRE-PLACES, AND IN
APPARATUS 'THEREFOR," (a communication to me from abroad by George
Kemble Stevenson, of Valparaiso, in the Republic of Chili, Engineer),
to be as follows :-
According to this Invention coal, coke, or other similar hydrocarbon

page_text: fuel is applied in a powdered state, and burnt with a measured quantity
of air supplied by a blast, all as hereafter described.
And in order to make this Invention better understood, I will proceed
to describe the same in connection with the apparatus which it is
preferred to use for the purpose of heating furnaces or fire-places for b
stationary or for marine steam boilers.
The powdered fuel is placed in an iron or metal hopper, at the top of
which can be placed a pair of rollers to guard against the admission of
large pieces of coal, to a cylinder which is made with tooth or V shaped
grooves on its surface and forms the bottom of said hopper; said cylinder 1
is made to revolve, moving the rollers and deposits as herein-after
described. At the lower part of the hopper is applied an iron or metal
tube of say square or oblong section, one end of which is in connection
with one of "Root's Patent Blowers," and the other end is formed with
an oblong outlet or with a tuyere and cistern, the outlet being of such :
shape and size as may be requisite; on the top or upper side of this tube
there is an opening under the grooved cylinder, which cylinder works on
this tube in proper bearings so that it may revolve across the length of
the tube, the whole to be on wheels in stationary fire-places or fire-
boxes, and in steamers to be suspended from overhead, so as to admit
of being easily withdrawn for lighting and kindling the fire or for
examining the furnace; the wheels and standards maintain the apparatus
at the proper height of the openings for the admission of the fuel. The
end of the tube which enters the furnace is protected by fire-brick (or
that of the tuyere and cistern should it be used), which fire-brick must
be of the proper shape and size to effectually close the entrance to the
furnace when in place, the crevices are to be stopped with fire-clay, all
the other openings to flue of boiler or for the admission of air in the end
usually fired from, are, to be effectually closed with fire-brick, fire-clay,
or other equally effective stopping.
14
The usual grate or furnace bars are done away with and instead of
them a bottom or hearth is constructed of suitably shaped fire-brick. On
such bottom is placed a lining for sides of furnace, but having a space
between said lining and side allowing the top of furnace to be bare, or it
may be lined in some cases; all the fire-brick lining is perforated with
round, oval, square, or oblong holes or slits, or it may in some cases be
entire; or the lining, can be made in sections of a similar shape to the

page_text: retorts used in the making of gas, such also to be either entire or
perforated. The object of this lining is to form a combustion chamber
inside the flue of the boiler, therein to ignite the mixed fuel on its
entrance from the heat acquired and retained in the fire-brick from the
kindling previously consumed, and when once lighted the fuel will con-
tinue to burn by the feeding to same, the perforations allow the heat to be
exercised directly on the surface of the fire-box and thereby add greatly
to its power; the length of this lining or combustion chamber may be
about the same as the usual length of the grate bars so as to thoroughly
ignite the fuel ere leaving this to pass through the tubes or flues. The
aforesaid grooved cylinder may be driven by means of worm on the axle
of blower to connect by a cog wheel on a shaft, working on proper
bearings with a worm on this shaft to a corresponding cog wheel on the
end of the shaft of the grooved cylinder, so that this cylinder thereby is
caused to revolve and to deposit in the tube a certain quantity of coal.
dust, to correspond with the air introduced by the blower, and to be
carried by this air into the lining or combustion chamber. A Root's,
blower is preferred on account of the facility of measuring the quantity.
of air admitted per revolution, but this blower can be substituted by any.
other which can be relied on for equal facility for measuring the air.
The mouth of the tube in the chamber can be made to deliver the.
mixed fuel (i.e. coal dust mixed with air) by one of various openings,
either with a twist as a rope, plain, direct, or divergent, so as to have"
the fuel strike on the red hot or white hot lining of the furnace to insure
the ignition, and thereby secure all the advantages from the combustion'
being perfect and entire. The air supplying apparatus can be placed in
any part of building, stoke room, or steamer's hold, but it must be so as
to insure the supply of the air with that of the coal dust or powder in
the appropriate quantities, the connection between blower and delivery.
cylinder can also be regulated by endless chain, wheels, or pulleys, and
bands or frictional gearing. The cylinder for coal dust delivery into the
tubo can have a ratchet and spring, so as to strike the axle of this
cylinder on the end at intervals to insure the delivery of the coal, flour,.
or dust, in case same flour should be damp and incline to adhere to the.
grooves.

page_text: SPECIFICATION filed in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters
Patent, and of an Order of the Lord Chancellor, by the said William
Simpson in the Great Seal Patent Office on the 7th December 1875.
TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, J, WILLIAM
SIMPSON, of the City of London, Merchant, send greeting.
WHEREAS Her most Excellent Majesty Queen Victoria, by Her
Letters Patent, bearing date the Twenty-second day of May, in the year
of our Lord One thousand eight hundred and seventy-five, in the thirty-
eighth year of Her reign, did, for Herself, Her heirs and successors, give
and grant unto me, the said William Simpson, Her special licence that
I, the said William Simpson, my executors, administrators, and assigns,
or such others as I, the said William Simpson, my executors, admini-
strators, and assigns, should at any time agrce 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
APPLICATION AND CONSUMPTION OF FUEL IN FURNACES AND FIRE-PLACES AND IN
"
APPARATUS THEREFOR,” a communication to me from abroad by George
Kemble Stevenson, of Valparaiso, in the Republic of Chili, Engineer,
upon the condition. (amongst others) that I, the said William Simpson,
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 on or before the Eighth day of December, One
thousend eight hundred and seventy-five.
NOW KNOW YE, that I, the said William Simpson, do hereby declare
the nature of my 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 accompanying
Drawings and to the letters of reference marked thereon, that is to
say:-

page_text: similar hydrocarbons by an apparatus as herein-after described to
furnaces adapted thereto, has been found to insure a more perfect
combustion than heretofore.
The Inventor has found in his experiments that to insure a perfect com-
bustion of powdered material, a certain quantity of atmospheric air
calculated at a given temperature is necessary for the perfect combustion
of a given quantity of fuel, and they must be so regulated one to the
other as to have neither preponderate, for if too much air is injected in
the mixture it cools the furnace; and if too little the mixture will not
burn, but the hydrocarbons will be precipitated and their value as
heaters be greatly diminished by increasing the quantity of ash. He
has therefore declined in any case to use the fan which has been
employed heretofore exclusively by others in their attempts to introduce
the use of powdered fuels, on account of the uncertainty of the blast of
the fan except at a given high velocity, which circumstance has been
the cause of either their failure or of greatly diminished value.
According to this Invention then a pressure blower is used whereby
no matter at what speed it is driven the delivery of air per revolution
can be depended on, viz., such as "Root's Patent Blower," or "Baker's
Rotary Pressure Blower," this last being of the two the most preferable
because it is made exclusively of iron, is not likely to get out of order,
and works with less friction and greater certainty of delivery.
The powdered fuel is combined with the proper quantity of air and
injected into a furnace adapted therefor, so that the coal dust and air
with their component parts shall produce the gas of greatest effect;
all the apparatus and arrangements are so as to be easily understood and
worked by any one, especially those accustomed to firing boilers.
The firc-brick lining or chamber applied to steam boilers fired
according to this Invention is preferably made tapered at the intro-
ductory end of less width and height than at the outlet or inner, and it is.
open at both ends, and either made of different areas at the two ends or
is decreased by placing of fire-brick at the entrance end.
When this Invention is applied to boilers the combustible is fed or
injected at the end usually fired from and in the openings in ordinary
use, so that there is no alteration required as in some other apparatus for.

page_text: using this fuel, but this Invention more immediately is intended for
application to present boilers.
The apparatus is made so as to be easily removed from the mouth of
the furnace and quickly replaced again when required, and to occupy
the least possible space in the usually very limited fire-room allowed in
sea-going steamers, generally from nine to twelve feet by breadth of
boilers.
And in order that this Invention may be more fully understood, I will
now proceed to describe how the same is or may be carried into effect
with reference to the accompanying Sheet of Drawings.
Figure 1 is a vertical longitudinal section of the apparatus for feeding
the air and the powdered fuel in a mixed stream or cloud to the furnace
or fire-place, and especially adapted to marine boilers, which is most
difficult of application.
1
Figure 2 is a vertical cross section of a high pressure marine boiler 1
arranged or adapted for burning powdered fuel according to this
Invention. Figure 3 is a vortical longitudinal section through the
central fire-box of same.
Figure 4 is vertical cross section, and Figure 5 a vertical longi-
tudinal section through an ordinary stationary boiler with one internal 2
flue through same, and arranged or adapted to the purpose of this
Invention.
Referring to Figure 1, A is a Baker rotary pressure blower as now
manufactured in Philadelphia; the exit side is connected to a tube B,
which may be of any suitable or required section, and air is forced into 2
this tube by the blower; in its passage to the furnace the air has to pass
under the special delivery cylinder C, working in proper bearings on and
partly within the tube B, which is rotating in same direction as the air
in this tube from the blower. The cylinder C is especially constructed
to ensure the accuracy of the delivery of the powdered fuel, being so 8
made as to fill the box D, and turned and fitted in it so as to be
practically air-tight in said box; this cylinder O is made with recesses
fitted with sliding teeth or pistons c, which teeth bave edges or flanges
working in an eccentric groove in each side of the box D; these teeth

page_text: or pistons are thus caused to pass below the surface of the cylinder on
the top, or when in contact with the coal in the feeding tube, and the
coal or other powdered fuel in the vertical feed tube E, and in the upper
cross feed tube, by the force of gravity fills the spaces thus made, and is
so carried by the revolving of the cylinder until within the tube B,
where, by the eccentric movement, those teeth c are forced out and
brought even with the surface of the cylinder C, and their charge
deposited in the tube B, so that by this proceeding there can be no
clogging of the quantity, neither can any moisture, should the powdered
fuel even be wet, prevent the quantity of fuel from being deposited per
revolution. Another advantage of this cylinder so arranged is that
there will be no air escape from tube B to coal feed E, as the side feeding
is filled with the powdered fuel, and the teeth fill the space on the
return to receive the charge; the revolutions of this cylinder being so
comparatively slow, there is very little wear to same. In connection
with the top of this box or case D there is (especially for steamers' use) a
tube E, in which the coal is received as herein-after more particularly
described, whereas in land or stationary furnaces the feed can be
effected by a shoot or hopper from any convenient place or powdered
fuel store, care being taken to have all the interstices close and tight to
prevent the dust of the fuel on falling or in the feeding, as it has been
found that there is actually no dust or uncleanliness by this process,
which is so much more advantageous than the usual mannor of foeding
from the bunkers on the grate with the shovel.
The coal or powdered fuel thus regularly fed into the tube B is by
the air driven from the blower A through the tube B, sleeve F, and
delivery tube G into the furnace, so that by this process the powdered
fuel and air are well mixed, in fact it is impossible they can enter the
furnace otherwise.
The slceve F, which is of a size to slide on tubo B is kept in place by
a collar or flange secured to the end of tube B after F is on same, and
F is returned to this collar and kept to it by right and left hand
expansion screws 6 from box D, or raised parts on tube B for this
purpose.
The delivery tubo G is made with a flange on the one end, and turned
so as to bo air-tight when in connection with the sleeve F. and is

page_text: retained in its connection with said sleeve F by hook bolts with thumb
nuts; this short delivery tube G has a central division 9 with, say one-
half turn or twist in the length of the tube, i.e., say vertical at entrance
end and horizontal at delivery, so that the fuel will enter with or twist
as a rope, and by the slacking of the screws and turning of the tube G
can alter the course of the injected material or fuel as required.
Other spiral guiding device may be employed for giving the current or
twist.
•
The fire-brick filling of the furnace door must have the opening for
the delivery tube G of same size, and when in place should be luted with
fire-clay to ensure same being tight. In this same fire-brick filling there
should be another hole or opening fitted with a movable stopper x, so as
to enable the attendant to be easily cognizant of the efficiency of the
combustion; water tuyero or any other cooling appliance for the tube
G has not been found of much use in practice, because whilst the
feeding is going on it does not heat, and when not in use the apparatus
is disconnected by removing the expansion screws 6 at F, running same
back, and temporarily stopping the opening thus left in the fire-brick
until ready for again being put in operation.
The pressure blower A, tube B, cylinder C, box for same D, slcevo F,
tube G, with all the gearing as herein-after described, are placed and
secured to or on a table or framework, which in its turn is on castors or
wheels for stationary furnaces, and by horizontal screws H secured to
floor of fire-room of steamers as shown, so that the whole apparatus can
be moved away from the furnace connection, either thwart ship, fore
and aft, or diagonally at the option of the attendant; these screws H
being of proportionate strength and of the pitch to be easily worked by
the attendant, and not to be able to give way during the pitching or
rolling of steamer.
The delivery tube G at Figure 2 as shown is applied to a marine
boiler furnace; as marine boilers have generally two or more furnaces,
each boiler should be supplied by one blower, the sleeve F being made
so that on it there shall be a tube similar to before-mentioned tube G
for each furnace, the entrance from sleeve to tube G being properly
gauged to equally divide the injected fuel and air to each opening, care
being taken that tube G is on the line of the centre of the furnace
linings.

page_text: The blower when near the floor, as here shown, and receiving the
air from the bottom for its injection to furnace, of course gets the
coolest air in the fire-room. The temperature of this air should be
frequently tested, that is close to the inlet for the regulating of the
combustion, as herein-before described.
The pressure blower, unless designed for this special purpose, will
require to have an extension of the main axle so as to carry a cono
pulley and worm. This extension is to be supported on the same tablo
or framework as the previously mentioned parts of the apparatus. The
cone pulley is for the driving of the whole apparatus, whilst the worm
is for driving a cog wheel on a shaft parallel to the tube B. This shaft,
in proper bearings on same table, has on the other end front of cylinder
axle a diagonal cog wheel, and is turned to fit loosely this shaft. This
cog wheel is turned on the outside, with deep grooves and key scated to
slide on key in shaft, so that by a clutch it can be kept up to its work
or can be moved away from the corresponding. cog wheel on the end of
the axle of cylinder C for the easier changing of this latter. The axle,
on which is hung the coal delivery cylinder C, with the radial pistons or
movable teeth c, is fitted with a collar and bit at or close to end of same.
This end carrying a cog wheel, which has a recess for the bit in the
collar and is held to its place by a thumbscrew through the hub into
the axle is diagonal, and moves the wheel or cylinder O from that on the
shaft, as before mentioned. When the teeth or radial pistons c of
wheel C have been gauged to the delivering of the appropriate quantity of
powdered fuel in comparison with the air received from the pressure
blower, calculating the temperature at say sixty-four degrees Fahrenheit.
This temperature is generally much increased in the fire-room, therefore
the component parts of the air vary, and to compensate for these
differences, or say for the expansion or contraction of the air, a number
of graduated diagonal cog wheels are arranged, each marked for the
number of degrees or for every ten degrees that the thermometer may
mark as the temperature of the inlet of the blower. The operator can
thereby, by attention to this temperature, always be sure that the
powdered fuel and proper quantity of air is being fed to the furnaces to
secure uniform combustion, the trouble of changing the feed wheel
being so slight as they are light, and it can be done in less than a
minute, the movement of the pressure blower being so slow that if an

page_text: increased combustion is required it is effected by increasing the velocity
of the blower by the band on the cone pulley. The actual slowness of
the movement of the blower ensures the temperature of the inlet air.
The movement of this apparatus in the fire-room is effected by a shaft
through to it from the engine room, unless at too great a distance from
one another then by any other known means of transmission of power.
This shaft is parallel to keel of ship, and carries on it on a sleeve a
double diagonal cog wheel in a groove. In the sleeve is a lever with
clutches, so as to throw this sleeve into, out of, or back contact with
another cog wheel on the end of a cross shaft extending to and through
the bunkers to side of steamer. These shafts being supported from the
beams or other proper parts of the hull of steamer, on this cross shaft is
carried a conc pulley or pullies to correspond to those on the apparatus
with loose pullies so as to be able to throw off, when on or the other
apparatus is still, fast and loose pullies, so as to enable the shaft to be
driven by the donkey engine from the deck, fast and loose pullies to
drive the disintegrating machines to be placed in the bunkers of the
steamers, together with the respective feed apparatus to lift the prepared
coal to the cross tube and carry same to intersecting tube over the top
of case D, from which, by contact with c, it is fed to tube B and to
furnaces. This vertical tube is fitted so that a sleeve covers the
intersection with D to prevent the dust from escaping, as well as a
throttle valve I to stop the supply to C through D when the apparatus
is removed, or for any other purpose.
To adapt a boiler furnace for the purpose of this Invention the
furnace front, the fire-bars, and cross bearings are removed. Three or
four walls are built on bottom of flue of fire-brick, leaving an opening
K through them to remove the ash by a parallel sided scoop on the top
of this wall or walls, or in some cases on a fire-brick floor is then placed
a taper lining or retort, the mouth being preferably much smaller than
the delivery end, and of a length to reach the uptake of the return tube
boilers, or in single flue say from 8 to 10 feet. This ensures the com-
bustion ere the fuel leaves the retort, and the flame or ignited gases give
the extra effect produced. By this method of combustion or feeding the
fuel in the proper proportionate quantities the top or circular part of
the retort should be perforated with openings M so as to allow the heat
of the inner chamber to play on the crown of the furnace. The retort I

page_text: should be properly secured so as not to move in the movement of the
steamer, whereas in stationary or land boilers it is not so important.
The inner end of the retort should occupy as much space of the flue as
possible, thereby insuring a better effect: The lining or retort being so
arranged the furnace front is again replaced; the retort is partly charged
with a quantity of wood and coal and lighted; the apparatus is put in
position; the furnace door closed by fire-brick; the mouth of the tube
G inserted, and the space between tube and fire-brick, as well as all
other interstices, well luted to prevent the admission of air; the blower
set in motion until the attendant can see that the whole of the charge
of wood and large coal is thoroughly ignited; then attach the connection
with the cylinder C and continue the operation as long as required, care
being taken to remove the ash from beyond the mouth or inner end of
the retort, which can be done in a few minutes. The apparatus replaced
and the operation proceeded with there is no fear of a great decrease of
temperature, as the fire-brick lining or retort retains some of the heat
derived from previous firing.
Having thus described the nature of this Invention, and modes of
carrying the same into effect, I declare that I claim,—
Firstly. The application of apparatus operating substantially as
herein set forth in order to deliver air and powdered fuel in due definite
proportions by positive measuring appliances at all working speeds of
said appliances, and to inject the same into a furnace, there to be
consumed.
Secondly. The placing of the whole fuel and air measuring and
injecting appliances for one or for more furnaces on one portable table
or frame, or constructing said apparatus with movable injection orifice
or orifices, or both, so that it can be conveniently attached to and
and disconected or removed from the furnace, all substantially as set
forth.
Thirdly. The construction of powdered fuel and air measuring and
injecting apparatus, as described with reference to Drawings.
Fourthly. The powdered fuel measuring and delivering cylinder,
constructed substantially as shown and described.
forth.
Thirdly. The construction of powdered fuel and air measuring and
injecting apparatus, as described with reference to Drawings.
Fourthly. The powdered fuel measuring and delivering cylinder,
constructed substantially as shown and described.

page_text: borne fuel a whirling movement before entering the furnace, substan-
tially as herein set forth.
Sixthly. The furnace lining, substantially as described and for the
purpose of burning powdered fuel therein.
In witness whereof, I, the said William Simpson, have hereunto 5
set my hand and seal, this Twentieth day November, in the
year of our Lord One thousand eight hundred and seventy-
five.