IMPROVEMENTS IN APPARATUS TO BE APPLIED TO FIRE-PLACES FOR OBTAINING ABSORPTION OF THE SMOKE AND A BETTER COMBUSTION OF THE FUEL EMPLOYED THEREIN
Year: 1860

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Ferdinand Pierre Jean Van den Ouwelant, of Paris,
France, Gentleman, for the Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN APPARATUS
TO BE APPLIED TO FIRE-PLACES FOR OBTAINING ABSORPTION OF THE SMOKE AND
A BETTER COMBUSTION OF THE FUEL EMPLOYED THEREIN."
Sealed the 15th February 1861, and dated the 24th August 1860.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Ferdinand Pierre Jean
Van den Ouwelant at the Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with
his Petition, on the 24th August 1860.
:
I, FERDINAND PIERRE JEAN VAN DEN OUWELANT, of Paris, France, Gentle-
man, do hereby declare the nature of the said Invention for "IMPROVEMENTS
IN APPARATUS TO BE APPLIED TO FIRE-PLACES FOR OBTAINING ABSORPTION OF THE
SMOKE & A BETTER COMBUSTION OF THE FUEL EMPLOYED THEREIN," to be as'
follows:--
My Invention relates to a new process & apparatus for effecting the com--
plete combustion of coal or other smoky combustible material in fire-places
and furnaces, in order to entirely consume the smoke therein. My improved
process consists in injecting steam, either superheated or not, and heated air
upon the layer of fuel in ignition. By injecting and spreading the steam and
air equally throughout the surface of the fire-place in thin films, it results that

page_text: the heated air burns the particles of coal and oxydizes the carbon constantly
produced therein. The injection of steam & air may be effected either sepa-
rately or in combination. When together, which is preferable, I so arrange
the apparatus that the heated air may be constantly attracted by the steam.
The apparatus consists of a tube furnished with cocks for supplying the neces-
sary quantity of steam from the dome or steam chest of the boiler, conducting
it thence by means of passages in communication with the fire-place. The
steam may arrive at the upper part of the front of the furnace above the door,
or at other suitable parts, and by the action of a nozzle or jet, arranged simi-
larly to a blast pipe of an engine, be spread throughout the surface of the
fire. The steam being thus projected with force on the fuel in a state of com-
bustion at same time produces a vacuum in the tube-suitably arranged
for that purpose, which causes an automatic supply of fresh air to enter also.
The air thus aspirated automatically by the steam is heated in a special tube
placed in the sides of the fire-place. Thus the apparatus of my Invention pro-
jects upon the fuel at the point where the smoke is generated, steam and heated
air being introduced by the force with which the steam is projected, thus
obtaining a perfect consumption of the smoke in the furnace.
SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent, filed
by the said Ferdinand Pierre Jean Van den Ouwelant in the Great Seal
Patent Office on the 22nd February 1861.
TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, I, FERDINAND
PIERRE JEAN VAN DEN OUWELANT, of Paris, France, Gentleman, send
greeting.
WHEREAS Her most Excellent Majesty Queen Victoria, by Her Letters
Patent, bearing date the Twenty-fourth day of August, in the year of our Lord
One thousand eight hundred and sixty, in the twenty-fourth year of Her reign,
did, for Herself, Her heirs and successors, give and grant unto me, the said
Ferdinand Pierre Jean Van den Ouwelant, Her-special licence that I, the said
Ferdinand Pierre Jean Van den Ouwelant, my executors, administrators, and
assigns, or such others as I, the said Ferdinand Pierre Jean Van den Ouwelant,
my executors, administrators, and assigns, should at any time agree with,
and no others, from time to time and at all times thereafter during the
term therein expressed, should and lawfully might make, use, exercise, and
vend, within the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland, the Channel

page_text: Islands, and Isle of Man, an Invention for "IMPROVEMENTS IN APPARATUS TO BE
APPLIED TO FIRE-PLACES FOR OBTAINING ABSORPTION OF THE SMOKE AND A BETTER COM-
BUSTION OF THE FUEL EMPLOYED THEREIN," upon the condition (amongst others) that
I, the said Ferdinand Pierre Jean Van den Ouwelant, my executors or adminis
trators, 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 In-
vention, 'and in what manner the same was to be performed, and cause the
same to be filed in the Great Seal Patent Office within six calendar months
next and immediately after the date of the said Letters Patent. •
NOW KNOW YE, that I, the said Ferdinand Pierre Jean Van den Ouwe-
lant, 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, that is to say :-
My Invention consists in a new method and in new apparatus for effecting.
the complete combustion of smoky coals and other fuels on the grates of any
furnace, so as to render the latter entirely smoke-consuming.
This new or improved process consists in injecting water steam, superheated
or not, and heated air from above the layer of the fuel in ignition. From
these two injections equally distributed in thin sheets over the whole surface
of the grate, it results that hot air shall burn the particles of coal and the oxyde
of carbon constantly produced. These injections of water, steam, and air may
be effected jointly or separately. When they take place both at same time, which
is preferable, I so dispose the apparatus that the, heated air may be self-
actingly drawn in by the action of the steam of water. The apparatus is com-.
posed of a tube provided with cocks, which take the required amount of steam
from the dome and lead it into channels in the fire-place. This steam gets to
the upper fore part of the fire-place above the door, or to any other suitable
place, thence through a pipe of suitable form, it spreads out over the whole
surface of the fire-place; but on being thus projected above the ignited fuel
it produces a vacuum in a tube disposed suitably for this purpose, which causes
the surrounding air to rush in. This air, this self-actingly drawn in by steam
is heated on passing through a special tube.fitted in the side walls of the fire-
place. In this manner my improved apparatus projects, as I have before
hinted, above the grate into the very place where smoke is formed, water,
steam, and heated air both mechanically carried there, by which contrivance
smoke is completely consumed. I obtain by plain cheap means, little liable
to deterioration, a fit temperature and expansion of air or steam, which are

page_text: projected in the form of several jets over the fuel on the grate, and in such
manner that these jets of air or reheated steam shall be mixed as regularly as
possible over the whole surface of the fuel with the gases or vapors evolved
from the latter, so as to produce & determine their almost instantaneous com
bustion. All my apparatus, however different their forms may appear at first
sight, are still alike as regards, 1st, the reheating and expansion of a fit portion
of air or water steam, and 2dly, the injection of the same air or steam in thin
sheets, or quite separate & divided jets into the gases formed in the interior of
the fire-place. My apparatus, therefore, can be divided in two distinct parts,
the reheater and the injector, which may form two separate parts, or, according
to the requirements, constitute but one body..
Thus, for an ordinary steam-engine fire-place, I deem it preferable to make,
use of apparatus in which the reheater and injector form two separate parts,
whilst for locomotive ones or others where space is limited or where the
ratus may obstruct the work, I unite the two parts, so as to form but a single
apparatus, as shown at Fig. 2 of the annexed Sheet of Drawings.
appa-
In these Drawings; Fig. 1.shows. a vertical longitudinal section of a steam-.
engine fire-place, and Fig. 2, a cross vertical section of a locomotive fire-box
provided with-my-improvements. Figs. 3, 4, 5, 6, and.6 represent-views of,
the lower surface of the five injectors. or regulators of projection; Fig. 6 shows,
a specimen of an injector for locomotives; Fig. 7 shows a vertical section of an,
ordinary reheating apparatus, whilst Fig: 8 shows a similar view. of a reheater.
for locomotives provided at the top with its injector. Figs. 9, 10, & .11;
respectively show longitudinal bottom and top views and a cross section through:
the centre of a cross beam formed with grooves, for containing the reheating:
tubes, and with a notch for admitting the end of the injector; Fig. 12 shows
a longitudinal elevation view of a cross beam for reheaters bearing an injector
with variable injection, the amount of air or steam to be injected being regu-
lated by the more or less elevated position of the injector's upper jaw. In these
different Figures the same letters of reference indicate the like parts where
they recur.
I have in former Letters Patent described the particular construction of my
apparatus, I will in the present say that the arrangement, and place of asaidi
apparatus are to vary according to the shape of the fire places, and the
purposes for which they are designed. Thus in fire boxes for steam boilers.
either ordinary or with boiler tubes the size of the place permits of laying the..
reheater A, Fig. 1, horizontally in the interior of the brickwork, the fire-place:
baving along one of its sides a thick layer of fire-bricks, whilst the injector B.,

page_text: or one of those shown at Figs. 3, 4, 5, & 6, is fitted to a cast-iron beam, Figs. 11
& 12, against the inside of the front wall just above the fire-place door, so, as to
permit of the steam or air being injected equally over the surface of the fuel
in the direction of the bridge C. In this Fig. 1. D indicates the tube throngli
which the steam of boiler E is conveyed into the reheater A'; in this tube is
fitted the small blowing apparatus For introducer of air, as described in my
former Patent, Fig. 3, Sh. IV. The steam on being conveyed from the boiler.
E enters the external tube a of the reheater, where it encounters the washers b
contrived or formed on the external part of the internal tube c, which con
stitute as many chambers, thus obstructing the passage of steam which gets
there reheated or superheated and expanded when reaching. the opposite end,
the steam gets into the internal tube c which presents to it its funnel-like
orifice, and there not meeting any other obstruction bursts rapidly into it,"
passes through the injector B, from the suitable opening of which it is pro-
jected on the fuel, being there distributed equally over the whole surface of
the fire-place. I likewise introduce the steam issuing from the boiler, through:
the interior tube C, where it meets with obstructions for the
purpose of being<
reheated, issuing afterwards from the reheater A into the infector B which
projects it over the fuel.
In Fig. 1 the blowing apparatus F is provided with a small cock for
regulating the admission of air into the pipe D, and imparting thereby to
combustion more or less activity. Fig. 2 shows the inside of a locomotive
fire box, where the space is very limited, and where it would be difficult to!
apply the apparatus just described, and therefore I make use (preferably) of
the apparatus, the arrangement of which is shown at Fig. 2 and also at Fig. 8,
but more enlarged, and which I purpose applying to other furnaces or 'fire-:
places where space is limited, such as locomotives, &c., where the apparatus.
shown at Fig. 1 would present obstacles to its good working. In this appa-
ratus the reheating apparatus A provided with a double fire-clay coating H,
prepared especially for this purpose, is placed in a vertical position on one of"
the face corners of the fire-place, and has at its top the injector B of Fig. 12, or
that P, shown at Fig. 6, made of copper or fire clay. In the arrangement:
shown at Tig. 1 the injector is carried by a cross beam I upon which it is:
bolted at one of its extreme ends.
..:
In some cases I found it more convenient to have the reheater, supported:
by said beam I, as represented at Figs. 9 & 10, which show top and bottom,
longitudinal views of such disposition, and at Fig. 12 showing a 'cross section'}
through the centre of the same cross beam lengthwise. The lower part of the>

page_text: cross beam is made with two grooves J, into which the tubes K of the reheater
are introduced, one end of which leads to the steam generator, whilst the other
end enters a slot L cut into the centre of the beam top for the introduction of
the extreme end M of the distributor or injector B, moreover to prevent the
escape from the injector of more steam than the desired amount, a plate O,
Fig. 11, of iron, steel, or any suitable material is arranged in the cut L
above the escape orifice of tube K, so that the amount of steam which could
escape from beneath said plate depends on the distance e left between the end
9.of the plate and the upper edge g of the beam I. The end of the injector
comes afterwards over the plate O to be fitted in the cut L. According to the
strength of the boiler, and the shape of the fire-place, I apply the reheater
projectors shown at Figs. 9, 10, & 12, together with that shown at Fig. 7,
which is laid horizontally in the brickwork of the fire-place.
The Figs. 3, 4, 5, 6, & 6is show, as already said, different forms of injectors
for the various arrangements I have described. Fig. 6 shows the specimen
more fitly applicable to apparatus Figs. 2 & 8. The end M is fitted into a
slot or cut L formed for this purpose in the cross beam which is to support the
injector: The other part of the injector has the form of a shell, provided at its.
lower part with a variable number of longitudinal channels p, and transverse ones
9, for conveying the steam over the fuel, the number and arrangement of these
said channels depending on and being modified according to the shape of the
fire-place or other circumstances, the general form of the injector is that of a
bivalve or oyster shell.
Fig. 12 shows a front view of the arrangement of the cross beam provided.
with a variable opening injector. The injector B as shown has on its surface
a series of teeth r & s, which take into corresponding notches t & u cut in the
surface of the slot L;. now it will be easily understood that the higher the
injector B is raised the more increased the amount of the steam will be which
I
shall escape between the teeth r & s and the corresponding notches t, u.
have also contrived a new or improved means for introducing into the fire-
place a certain amount of air extremely divided, which spreading itself over
the upper surface of the coal which covers the grate, and being mixed with
the combustible gases, will facilitate the combustion of said coal and gases by
supplying them with the necessary elements that render that combustion
perfect, such arrangement having yet for object to completely remove the
causes to which is to be attributed the production of smoke, and to utilize for
the benefit of the evaporating apparatus the maximum heat which a given
quantity of coal can yield by perfect, combustion;; In the first part of my

page_text: Specification, I did mention jets of steam which are projected into the fire-
place in thin sheets, also hinting at my intention to mix therewith a certain
amount of air. The following are the new means I propose for that object :-
I shall here only describe the new parts of this application referring for the rest
to what I have said in my former Specification. A, A', distributing apparatus.
or projecting-shell, as described in my former Letters Patent. A, the upper
part, having the shape of a reflector, and being slightly hollowed at r, and
formed with an orifice C for the introduction of the reheated anhydrous steam.
issuing from the accelerator or rebeater. This said upper part is applied and,
maintained by means of bolts E, E, on the upper side A' of a rectangular flue.
B, with which it forms by three of its sides a tight joint, as shown in Fig. 1.,
On the fourth internal side of the flue and towards the centre there is a longi-
tudinal issue C', so calculated as that its entire section shall be a little less
than that of the inlet C for steam. It is through that longitudinal issue that
steam escapes into the furnace, this upper piece A is intended to guide the
sheet of steam that escapes through the orifice C¹, and is projected out of the,
rectangular flue B to about 6 inches. A', upper side of the flue B slightly
hollowed at ¹, so as to form together with the piece A a small reservoir, in
which steam getting through the orifice C is gathered and forms the current
which is afterwards projected into the fire-place, after passing through the.issue
C³ contrived in the junction of the two pieces A & A'. The upper surface of.
the flue B is interrupted just about halfway of the whole width of the flue, and.
is continued by the piece A. B, rectangular flue depressed at its centre on its.
upper side, so as to form the lower part of the distributing apparatus, the.
open part of that face halfway on its length is covered and closed by the,
piece A, on the opposite face to the bridge the flue is open of a length equal.
to the width of piece A which forms its upper-side, and to a height of four to.
five inches, it has a lower lip D projecting from about two to three inches
turned up on both sides, so as to form with the piece A a channel, into which.
passes the current of steam projected in a thin sheet into the fire-place, and
which shall occupy the upper part thereof. This flue rests by one of its ends.
d", which is closed on the inside brickwork of the fire-place, whilst its other.
end d is inserted into the ajutage B" on the double lateral flue B', it is placed.
above the door inside of the fire-place just beneath the boiler tubes, and.
parallel to the front part of the furnace B', double flue closed at one of its
ends d", which is provided with an ajutage B" which receives at right angles.
the open end of flue B, its lower open end.d leads through the front of the
furnace to the open air, and is provided with a vane or valve, the opening being

page_text: thereby regulated according to the amount of air to be introduced for the
requirements of combustion, and for obliging the air 'to pass along the face of
the fluc which is best exposed to the action of heat. This double flue is placed
inside the fire-place against the lateral brickwork of the furnace, opposite to
that in which is placed the accelerator or reheater.
Instead of the double cast-iron flue I also make use for introducing hot air
of fire-brick flues, the entrance of which is likewise on the left of the fire-place
and is provided with a small vane for regulating the opening thereof, and the
channel almost on a level with the grate leads all round the fire-place in
passing through the hollow bridge, in order to communicate through the fluc
on the right of the fire-place with the open end of the flue or cast iron cross
piece B.
The description and Drawings being thus well understood, it will be seen
that steam escaping in a thin slieet from the distributing apparatus or pro-
jector towards the centre of the upper side of the flue B, will enter the
channel formed by the piece A and the lip D of the flue, which channel opens
in the flue and leads to the fire-place. The steam blade which passes with an
extreme velocity strikes against the piece A, which directs the projection &
prevents it from striking against the boiler tubes, and as it only occupies at
first in that part of the flue near the channel which it traverses a portion of
the whole section, it will exert a friction upon the air which fills the lower
part thereof, and displacing it causes it to rush into the channel where said
friction is yet increased, and by that friction a drawing in of the column of air
shall be produced, and this drawing in of the air being constantly renewed will
determine a sort of depression or partial vacuum, which is as soon made up by
the inflowing air through the flues B, B', the orifice d" of which opens to the
free air. This external air on circulating through the flues which are exposed
to the action of fire, reaches a high temperature and forms a constant current,
which under the influence of the steam current strikes on the surface of the
fuel, to which it affords the elements of combustion which the latter could but
imperfectly receive from the grate, and the want of which is the chief cause of
smoke, the surplus inflames the combustible gases resulting from combustion
and the decomposition of the projected steam, thus rendering combustion both
easy and complete.
The advantages resulting from this arrangement are the following:-Irst,
the hot air does not condense the projected steam; and, 2dly, the film of air
being constantly overcome by that of steam, there is no fear of the surfaces of
the boiler tubes being injured.

page_text: Having thus described the nature of my Invention and the manner in which
the same is to be performed, I desire it to be distinctly understood that I do not
confine myself to the precise details herein described, as such may be varied or
modified without departing from the principle of action thereof; likewise I do
not confine myself to the strict form or figure of any apparatus or portions of
apparatus herein described; but I claim as new and of my Invention, applying
to fire-places of every description the apparatus above described or their
equivalents, the object of which being to allow of quantities of steam and air
previously heated and dilated by their passage into the said apparatus and'
projected on the fuel, substantially as described, and also to prevent the
formation of smoke to obtain a complete utilization of the combustible matters"
and consequently a more perfect combustion fuel than by the means employed
heretofore.
In witness whereof, I, the said Ferdinand Pierre Jean Van den Ouwelant,
have hereunto set my hand and seal, this Eighteenth day of February,
in the year of our Lord One thousand eight hundred and sixty-one.
F. P. J. VAN DEN OUWELANT. (L.S.).