RESERVE in Apparatus Employed for that Purpose.
Year: 1886

page_text: Date of Application, 5th Oct., 1886
Complete Left, 5th July, 1887.
Complete Accepted, 5th Aug., 1887.
RESERVE
in Apparatus Employed for that Purpose.
I HENRY WILLIAM BESSEMER of 5 Palace Gate Kensington in the County of
Middlesex Metallurgical Student Royal School of Mines do hereby declare the nature
of this invention to be as follows:-
These improvements relate to the production of malleable iron and steel, by what is
generally known as the Bessemer process. For this purpose I construct a converter
of a cylindrical form whose length by preference does not exceed one half of its
diameter; this short cylinder is mounted with its axis horizontal; it may have flat
ends but I prefer that they should be concave on the inside, and the angles of the
lining I have rounded or filled up so as in some cases to give a lenticular, or more or
less elliptical form to the interior of the converter in one direction while it is more or
less circular in the other.
The shell of the converter when of small size may be made of cast-iron or preferably
cast in steel, but for large converters I prefer to employ rivetted steel plates and
angles and to have bolted flanges at the junction of the two main pieces of which it is
composed. The mouth for running in and discharging the metal I prefer to place at
a tangent to the circumference of the cylinder, and to make one or both sides of the
opening flat, so as to afford facility for running out the slag, and skimming the
surface. For skimming I employ an iron tool resting on a tilting support jointed to
the converter. The opening for running in and discharging may if desired be made
in one end of the cylinder and be placed eccentric to the axis.
When using the tangential form of discharge opening, I prefer that it should be
pointed downward at the time of blowing so as to discharge the slags and splashes of
inetal on to the surface of water in an open tank, or preferably into the open mouth
of a curved iron receiver provided with a funnel for the escape of the heated gases
through the roof of the building. The draft may be assisted if necessary by a steam
jet. By this arrangement much of the metal now wasted may be separated from the
slags and be utilised.

page_text: I also provide an opening with a door in the centre of one end of the converter for
the purpose of facilitating the setting of tuyeres and for making repairs. Opposite to
this central opening is the axis with which the cylindrical vessel revolves or recipro-
cates. The axis is secured to the converter by a large boss or flange and rests at both
ends on an iron frame and may be made hollow in order to convey the air to the
tuyeres or the air may be conveyed by a pipe having a swivel joint opposite the
central door.
When passing air through the axis of the converter, the bearing at one end, may
have an opening or port formed in it, for the purpose of allowing air to pass into a
similar port formed in the hollow axle. By this arrangement the blast may be turned
on and off automatically at the proper time. In like manner the air may be turned
on or off by the motion of the swivelled pipe before referred to.
Motion may be given to the converter by hydraulic apparatus actuated direct from
a steam boiler, or by a worm and worm wheel which latter I prefer for the smaller
kinds of converter, which may be readily turned by hand, because this cylindrical
vessel and its charge of metal will unlike other converters be in balance in all
positions.
In the smaller converters one or two separate tuyeres with numerous holes in each
may be employed, while in the larger ones four or more tuyeres may be used with
advantage, their position depending somewhat on the position of the angle flange
uniting the two parts of the converter. The circumferential joint may either be
central or at one end of the cylinder. The tuyeres and the tuyere boxes may be of
the usual type, but I prefer to form the tuyeres slightly conical on the external
surface and to fix them into the converter from the inside. The lower end of the
tuyere has a piece of iron pipe screwed into it, which conveys the blast to the several
orifices on its upper surface thus dispensing with the tuyere box.
.
It is well known that the soundness of steel ingots and other castings, and their
more or less homogeneous character depends greatly, on the more or less perfect
admixture of the ferro-manganese or other alloys added to the converted metal at the
end of the process.
Now an important object of my said invention is to effect a more intimate and
perfect union of such alloys with the converted metal, than can be effected in the
usual way.
For this purpose I form on that portion of the inside of the cylindrical
converter which lies between the surface of the metal under operation and the
discharge opening, a wier, or series of wiers, projections, steps, or corrugations, over
which the metal will run or fall whenever the converter is turned into such a position
that these projecting parts lie under it. After the addition to the metal has been
made the converter is caused to gently oscillate, and thus run or pour the metal over
these obstructions until a perfect mixture has been effected. In small converters this
oscillation may be kept up by a lever or hand spike attached to the converter or to
its axis, so as to move the converter by hand power, or the converter may be made to
oscillate by any suitable mechanism, until the converted metal and the alloy added
thereto are thoroughly combined and a large portion of the occluded gases have
escaped.

page_text: Improvements in the Manufacture of Malleable Iron and Steel and
in Apparatus Employed for that Purpose.
I, HENRY WILLIAM BESSEMER, of 5 Palace Gate, Kensington, in the County of
Middlesex, Metallurgical Student Royal School of Mines, do hereby declare the
nature of this invention and in what manner the same is to be performed to be
particularly described and ascertained in and by the following statement:-
These improvements relate to the production of malleable iron and steel by what is
generally known as the Bessemer process.
In this process molten iron is contained in a vessel known as a converter and air
is forced in through tuyeres beneath the surface of the metal.
In order that my improvements on that process may be fully understood I have
shewn by the annexed drawings the apparatus which I employ.
Figure 1 is an elevation partly in section, Figure 2 is a vertical cross section taken
on the line XX in Figure 1. Figures 3 and 4 are sections showing details and
Figures 5 and 6 are cross sections of the convertor vessel in different positions which
it assumes.
The vessel or converter a is of a cylindrical form and its length by preference
should not much exceed one half of its diameter. I prefer that the ends of the
cylinder should be slightly concave to the interior in order to increase the strength
and stiffness and at the same time to retain the lining a¹ more securely in place.
This lining may be formed of ganister, lime, or other suitable material. The angles
formed by the junction of the ends with the cylindrical part should be more or less
filled in or rounded by the lining and if desired the lining may be made so as to give
as in Figure 1 a more or less of an elliptical form to the section.
I mount the converter on an horizontal axis or shaft c supported on an iron frame d
the ends of which are formed into plummer blocks of the usual type.
axis c.
A circular ribbed plate e with a hollow central boss e¹ is securely bolted or rivetted
to one end of the cylindrical converter and is keyed on to the overhanging end of the
This axis is bored up a short distance and has a slot formed in it, corre-
sponding to a similar slot g formed in the lower side of the bearing in which it rests.
This arrangement which is best seen in the detached section Figure 3 is such that a
blast of air conveyed by a pipe to the opening h will find its way into the hollow
boss e¹ and pass through the blast pipe through the tuyere j and into the metal.
By means of the above arrangement the blast of air will be turned on in connection
with the tuyeres whenever the converter assumes a position which renders it necessary
that air should pass through them, and will in like manner be shut off whenever the
tuyeres have risen above the level of the metal, thus rendering the turning on and off
of the blast automatic.
The shell of the converter when of small size may be made of cast iron or preferably
cast in steel, but for large converters I prefer to employ rivetted steel plates and
angles and to have bolted flanges at the junction of the two main pieces of which it is
composed. The mouth for running in and discharging the metal I prefer to place at
a tangent to the circumference of the cylinder, and to make one or both sides of the
opening flat, as seen at k Figure 2, so as to afford facility for running out the slag
and skimming the surface of the metal. For skimming I employ an iron tool coated
with loam resting on a tilting support or bale m jointed to the converter at r, this
when required for use is locked in the position shown.
When using the tangential form of discharge opening, I prefer that it should be

page_text: pointed downward at the time of blowing so as to discharge the slags and splashes of
metal on to the surface of water in an open tank, or preferably into the open mouth
of a curved iron receiver provided with a funnel for the escape of the heated gases
through the roof of the building. The draft may be assisted if necessary by a steam
jet. By this arrangement much of the metal now wasted may be separated from the
slags and be utilised.
This iron receiver is shown in vertical section at n in Figure 2, and the gaseous
and solid products escaping from the converter are represented as issuing downward
on to the surface of the water contained in the receiver. Thus a separation of the
granules of metal and slag is obtained and the material collected sinks down into the
water in a fine granular state. The gaseous products pass up the funnel
and escape
through the roof of the building. By this arrangement much of the metal thrown
out of the converter may be recovered, and the process is rendered more cleanly. The
receiver n may be supplied with water by means of a pipe in connection with a
neighbouring tank in which water is stored at the required level.
For the purpose of facilitating the setting of tuyeres and repairing the lining of the
converter make a door or opening in the centre of one end of the cylindrical
converter as shown at s; for this purpose I insert a ring of firebrick t in the lining
of the converter, and I fit loosely into the ring a circular fire brick and stop the joint
with a little soft fire clay. Or I ram ground ganister, or other lining material into
the opening, and this may be broken away when any repairs to the interior of the
converter become necessary.
When the converter is fresh lined this opening (if the converter is a small one) will
admit the hand and arm of the workman freely and allow him to make good on the
inside the joint where the two parts of the converter meet; in large converters of this
construction the openings may be made sufficiently large to admit a workman for
ike purposes.
Motion may be given to the converter by a worm and worm wheel and the smaller
de of converter, may be readily turned by hand, because this cylindrical vessel and
its harge of metal will unlike other converters be in balance in all positions.
Oi. the drawings annexed I have shewn the position which I prefer that the worm
wheel u and worm v should occupy. The axis of the worm has at each end a crank
handle for the purpose of giving motion to the converter when necessary. By any
ordinary method the worm v is made capable of being thrown out of gear in order
that a reciprocating motion may be given to the converter by means herein after
described.
When hydraulic power is employed for transmitting motion to the converter, it
may be effected by employing a toothed wheel and rack, the latter attached to the
hydraulic plunger as already generally practiced.
In the smaller converters one or two separate tuyeres with numerous holes in each
may be employed, while in the larger ones four or more tuyeres may be used with
advantage, their position depending somewhat on the position of the angle flange
uniting the two parts of the converter. The circumferential joint may either be
central or at one end of the cylinder. The tuyeres and the tuyere boxes may be of
the usual type but I prefer to form the tuyeres slightly conical on the external
surface and to fix them into the converter from the inside. The lower end of the
tuyere has a piece of iron pipe screwed into it which conveys the blast to the several
orifices on its upper surface thus dispensing with the tuyere box.
When these tuyeres are fixed from the inside of the converter the larger end of the
cone is placed to the interior of the converter as shewn and in some cases to facilitate
the setting I insert (when lining the converter) a fire brick ring w into which the
tuyere is fitted. A little very soft fire-clay smeared on the surface of the tuyere
will form a sufficiently tight joint and will admit of the new tuyere being used as
soon as it is set in place. A rude coarse screw thread is moulded in the lower part of
the tuyere and a piece of screwed iron pipe y is fitted loosely into it and cemented
with plaster of Paris or with a clay luting. The pipe y serves to connect the tuyere
with the blast pipe i by means of an ordinary screw coupling.

page_text: It is well known that the soundness of steel ingots and other castings and their
more or less homogeneous character depends greatly on the more or less perfect
admixture of the ferro-manganese or other alloys added to the converted metal at the
end of the process.
Now an important object of my said invention is to effect a more intimate and
perfect union of such alloys with the converted metal, than can be effected in the
usual way. For this purpose I form on that portion of the inside of the cylindrical
converter which lies between the surface of the metal under operation and the
discharge opening, a wear or series of wears, projections, steps, or corrugations, over
which the metal will run or fall whenever the converter is turned into such a position
that these projecting parts lie under it. After the addition to the metal has been
made the converter is caused to gently oscillate, and thus run or pour the metal over
these obstructions until a perfect mixture has been effected. In sinal converters this
oscillation may be kept up by a lever or hand spike attached to the converter or to its
axis, so as to move the converter by hand power, or the converter may be made to
oscillate by any suitable mechanism, until the converted metal and the alloy added
thereto are thoroughly combined and a large portion of the occluded gases have
escaped.
The wears, steps, or corrugations which I employ to assist in mixing the converted
metal with the alloys added thereto may be formed by the insertion into and projection
beyond the general surface of the lining of any suitable refractory material such as
well burned lumps formed of a mixture of fire-clay and plumbago, or Illminite iron
ore, in compact lumps, or ganister-stone in its natural state. But I prefer to form
these projections which extend across the cylindrical converter from end to end of the
same material as that employed for the lining of the vessel. I also prefer that such
projections should be formed with gently flowing curved outlines and like the wear or
projection M shewn in the annexed drawings; this form will be found to be more
durable than others of an abrupt or angular form.
Although the alternate oscillation of the converter may be effected by a lever or
handspike or by means of the worm and wormwheel as before described, I nevertheless
prefer to cause such oscillating motions by means of a crank arm = attached to the
axis of the converter and acted on by a suitable reciprocating part of a steam engine
or other motor. I prefer that motion should be transmitted to the crank arm by
means of a connecting rod actuated by small revolving crank having a throw of about
one fourth the length of the crank arm z. The converter is thus gently moved in
alternate directions through about one fourth of a revolution and at a speed of about
2 to 3 double oscillations per minute depending on the size of the converter. It will
be understood that prior to making the connection with the crank arm z the coupling
of the worm must be disengaged.
As soon as the conversion of the pig iron into steel, or into decarburized or
malleable iron is effected, the mouth of the converter is to be lowered into the position
shown in Figure 6-a moveable rest m jointed to the exterior of the converter is
brought into the position shown in Figure 6. A workman will then introduce a
skimmer or rake into the mouth of the converter resting it on the support m and
bring forward the molten slag which floats upon the surface of the metal and discharge
it into a barrow or other receptacle as shown. This skimming process may if found
desirable be employed to remove the slag from time to time. The flat lip and wide
mouth of the converter gives great facility for the removal of slag and as soon as this
operation is effected for the last time a few shovelsfull of granulated anthracite coal
or other carbonaceous matter or some lime may be thrown on to or spread over the
surface of the metal, the ferro-manganese or other alloying metal may then be run
into the converter in a fluid state, or it may be thrown into the converter in small
lumps previously heated.
The operation of agitating and mixing is then to be proceeded with for several
minutes. The action on the contents of the converter will be readily understood by
reference to Figure 5 in which the charge of metal is represented at S, if the converted
be now moved in the direction indicated by the arrow the whole of the metal will flow

page_text: over the wear M and by the time the converter has completed one fourth of a
revolution the metal will occupy that portion of the converter in which it is indicated
by dotted lines at T. The return of the converter to the position shown in Figure 5
will cause the whole of the metal to pass back again over the wear M in an opposite
direction to occupy its former position. A repetition of this action for several
minutes will cause a thorough admixture of the converted and the alloying metal to
take place and the disengagement of the whole or greater portion of the occluded
oxygen also by lowering and equalizing the temperature it will bring the metal into
the best condition for forming sound castings.
It is important to observe that no admission of air to the converter takes place
whilst the continuous oscillating movement is in progress. The admission of air at
this stage would be injurious and would result in a useless expenditure of the alloying
metal.
It is the novel construction of the converter herein shown which renders possible
the agitation of the metal in the manner described without admitting air through the
tuyeres.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said invention
and in what manner the same is to be performed I declare that what I claim is :-
1. My improvement in the manufacture of malleable iron and steel by the Bessemer
process which consists in imparting to the converter a continuous oscillating move-
ment whilst the admission of air is stopped, whereby a more complete admixture of
the charge is obtained and the disengagement of gas from the metal is facilitated.
2. A Bessemer converter substantially as described of approximately cylindrical
form and mounted concentrically on a horizontal axis so as to be nearly in equilibrium
in all positions.
3. A Bessemer converter substantially as described and having a wear or wears
(corrugations, ribs or projections) formed on the interior and so arranged that the
metal may be made to flow to and fro over the same whilst the admission of air is
stopped, the charge thereby being more effectually mixed.
4. A Bessemer converter substantially as described of approximately cylindrical
form and having a flat tangential mouth whereby skimming is facilitated.
5. The combination substantially as described of a Bessemer converter having a
downwardly directed mouth and a receiving tank charged with water into which the
solid matters ejected from the converter are thrown.
6. The combination substantially as described of a Bessemer converter having a
downwardly directed mouth and a partially closed receiver provided with a flue which
carries the gaseous products into a chimney.
7. A Bessemer converter substantially as described of approximately cylindrical
form in two parts meeting in a joint around the periphery and with a central door
giving access to the joint to make it good.
8. The means substantially as described for supplying air to Bessemer converters,
viz. through the bearing and the hollow axis and apertures therein which coincide
and allow the air to pass when the tuyeres are beneath the metal and which, when
the tuyeres are sufficiently above the surface of the metal, are separated so that the
air is no longer able to pass.
9. The combination substantially as described of a Bessemer converter and a tuyere
block inserted from within, tapering from within outwards, seated in a ring in the
lining of the converter and connected with the blast pipe in the manner indicated.
Dh: 5th of T..1.. 1007
CARPMAEL & Co.,
Agents for the Applicant.