Improvements in or relating to the Prevention of Heating and Spontaneous Ignition of Combustible Materials.
Year: 1894

page_text: Improvements in or relating to the Prevention of Heating and
Spontaneous Ignition of Combustible Materials.
A communication from ALEXANDER SCHÖRKE, of 25 Schnorr Strasse, Dresden,
in the Empire of Germany, Manufacturer.
I ALFRED JULIUS BOULT of 323 High Holborn, in the County of Middlesex,
Chartered Patent Agent, do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as
follows:-
The objects of the invention before us consist on the one hand of a new method
to prevent that most dangerous heating and spontaneous ignition of combustibles
and the like on the other hand in a new arrangement which allows of carrying,
out this method, in a manner, the success of which can be guaranteed.
Up to the present time many experiments have been made in coal ships for.
instance, to prevent the imminent danger, without however taking cognizance of.
the actual cause.
a) By using chemicals or introducing combustible gases into the piles of
material.
6) By occasioning the circulation of the stagnating air, in making use of.
exhausters or ventilators brought into communication with a system of
pipes (the latter being perforated and covered) and by introducing fresh
air into the piles.
c) By reducing the air circulation in taking off the covers of closed spaces, or
of the "waste-heaps."
In making use of these so-called remedies, either negative results were attained.
or results which gave no guarantee or perhaps injured the quality of the goods.
The original cause of the spontaneous ignition has however now been taken into
consideration, and this important problem solved in quite a natural way.
The faculty of spontaneous ignition is a characteristic quality of certain materials,,
all belonging to one and the same chemical group, the mechanical structure of
which shows labyrinths of particular chemical and biological conditions, through
which these combustible materials are heated or ignited out of their inner part or
core so that the imminent danger is a consequence of the special structure of the
materials in question.
Not coly coals, that is to say organisms already carbonized, are liable to
spontaneous ignition under certain circumstances, but also numerous vegetable
textures of younger tertiary formation as fibrous peat, fibres of hay and so-called
"Indian fibres" cotton-wool, flax, prepared bark of trees, fibres of straw and.
wood, and all combinations of materials having a structure of adequate qualities.
All these materials have the propensity to ignite spontaneously, when piled
together and exposed to certain circumstances.
By his thorougbly new investigations, the inventor found that the original causes.
of the spontaneous ignition of those materials issue from the concurrence of three
distinct factors, which he explains as follows;-
;-
1. The faculty of the labyrinths in question to absorb the surrounding atmospheric
1.

page_text: air-
(a faculty derived from prior life-functions)--and to compress that air in
acordance with the subsequent and accumulated pressure happening in piles
material.
0
2. A certain chemical condition, by which inflammable gases are easily displayed,
for instance light and heavy carburetted hydrogen-gases, or bisulphides of carbo
and others.
3. A sum of several different pressure-coefficients derived from ascertaining the
effects to be observed at the increasing motion of all molecules (atoms) in the
material piled together, whereby the following kinds of pressure are to be taken
into consideration;
a) The mechanical pressure originated by the weight of the pile of material
and its parts-eventually strengthened by a shaking motion of the pile
(ie. the rolling and pitching-motion of ships).
b) The atmospheric pressure of the surrounding common air exposed to
various changes.
c) The increasing pressure in the centre of all forces produced in closed spaces
or in intermediate spaces in piles and heaps, and developed as "molecular-
atmospheres causing an increasing heat.
"
d) The pressure of the latent electricity of the earth (as is well-known, for
this electricity, sea-water is the best conductor-to coal ships for instance).
A very dangerous reciprocal working of the three factors nained before, arises
in consequence of the compressing of materials piled together, and of their
chemical rapacity to produce inflammable gases, either when all the pressure spoken
of under a) to d) or even when only some of them manifest their presence, by
causing the consequent increasing of heat, and the unbalanced expansion of the
molecules in motion; that is to say, when they engender the consequent increasing
of the so-called "molecular atmospheres," in order finally to ignite those structures
which are best prepared and show the most favourable conditions for spontaneous
ignition, being under the growing pressure and the continual accumulation of the
different compressing effects.
It may be worth while to mention, that the spontaneous ignition of suitable
material can be caused by sudden compression. Also under less favourable
conditions as for instance is proved by the well-known experiment of lighting
tinder, it being effected by the sudden compression of the cold atmospheric air
round the tinder produced by applying on it a very sharp stroke with a hammer.
The inventor declares that he believes to be correct and that it is the principal
thing, that the diagnosis just described explains the causes of spontaneous ignition
of certain combustible materials in a perfectly natural way.
The more the different parts of the heap or pile are prepared by the increased
production of gases and heat, and the larger dimensions these parts have, the more
extensive will be the ignition and the more disastrous must be the phenomenon,
which often engenders a frightful explosion and a raging fire-the latter being in
inost cases the characteristic result of spontaneous ignition.
In this unconstrained dissertation-that is to say, in this natural explanation of
the fact not yet hitherto thoroughly explained, it is proved that the apprehensions
of the inventor, and the remedy herewith proposed by him are perfectly correct
and well founded.
The two first-mentioned factors causing the spontaneous ignition of materials
piled together cannot be removed because they are rooted in the natural structure
of the goods heaped together, but it is possible to alter the third factor consisting
of multiplied pressure-coefficients.
To eliminate this continual accumulation of increasing pressure-and, by
observing, to control it-means altogether destroying the evil in its germ, and
providing an "alarm apparatus" which is reliable and gives a guarantee under all
circumstances.
These purposes are attained in a natural way and with greatest perfection-as is.
described in this Specification-by the arrangement of air-tight compartments as

page_text: store-rooms for materials which are subject to spontaneous ignition. These localities
may be brought into communication with air-pumps or exhausters producing
vacuums and they may be controlled by well known indicators. With particularly
dangerous materials, it is preferable to provide the store rooms or coal bunkers
with mechanisms of selfacting air-tight closures for the feeding and emptying
of combustible materials. The outlets must allow the removal of any desired part
of the contents of these store-rooms.
Such a store-room must, he constructed according to requirement and the
materials in question are loaded therein, whilst the air-tight closure may be variously
arranged according to requirement, so that the combustible materials are preserved
from the influence of the surrounding atmospheric air.
In the upper part of the store-room, one or more arrangements are disposed for
the absorption of the air as for instance pipes brought into communication with
air-pumps or exhausters etc. At the pipe-ends projecting inside the store-room,
perforated dust-catchers are provided.
A vacuum-indicator, communicating with the interior of the store-room serves
as controlling device of the vacuum and gives a guarantee against danger. It may
be called an alarm apparatus.
I here remark, that the motion of a ship, which formerly increased the pressure
in the piles, now by its rolling and pitching, when the materials are brought under
vacuum- - facilitates the absorption of the "molecular-atmospheres of the
intermediate spaces between the materials.
"
In a modification a self-acting arrangement for the feeding and emptying of such
store-rooms, may be employed, the discharging of the cargo being accomplished in
the usual way, for instance in ships by the batchways.
Here the store-room, into which the ends of pipes with dust-catchers protrude
is provided with a selfacting closure-arrangement, consisting of an axle with a
drum fixed thereon.
This drum is composed of three solid segments of equal dimensions and shows
three intermediate spaces. The segments serve for the closure of the inlet, whilst
the intermediate spaces, when brought before the opening allow the passage of the
materials to be loaded.
The
A similar drum may also be arranged at the bottom of the .store-room.
air-tight closure in both the arrangements is accomplished automatically by the
solid segments, one of which being always before the feeding funnel and at
the unlading opening, which has also the shape of a funnel.
By turning the axle of the upper drum however the intermediate spaces of the
latter may be brought before the funnel of the store-room, so that the materials to
be laden may pass the funnel. The same operation takes place at the outlet by
turning the axle of the drum, so that the materials to be unladen may easily pass
and fall down.
."
The motion of the drums may be caused by auy motor whatever-and according
to the want of occasional and partial unlading of the store-room or even according
to the requirements of technical constructions.
The selfacting air-tight closure mechanisms of the feeding and emptying openings
may be set in other positions and may show various modifications as usual in
technical constructions, for instance transporting-screws may be made use of.
Dated this 3rd day of November 1894.
:
W. P. THOMPSON & BOULT,
Agents for the Applicant.

page_text: Improvements in or relating to the Prevention of Heating and
Spontaneous Ignition of Combustible Materials.
A communication from ALEXANDER SCHÖRKE, of 25, Schnorr Strasse, Dresden,
Empire of Germany, Manufacturer.
I, ALFRED JULIUS BOULT of 323 High Holborn in the County of Middlesex,
Chartered Patent Agent, 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:-
The characteristic feature of this invention has been established in such manner
that the following fundamental principles may now be set forth :—
66
$
Spontaneous combustion results from confining combustible gases in suitable cells
by means of such heat as will suffice to generate pressure and counter-pressure."
"This kinetic energy' attains explosive power in proportionately large accumu-
lations of cells, so chemically constituted, that the evolution of suitable gases and
the pressure-relations between the smallest cell-formations (mixed with atmospheric
air) bring about generally favourable working and conditions throughout the mass,
so that the gradually and regularly increasing heat-development, after kindling at
the hottest point (.e., the centre of kinetic energy) quickly spreads itself over the
entire cell-mass, and thereby suddenly, in statu nascendi of chemical recombinations,
brings about the phenomenon which forms the essential characteristic of the
explosion."
Up to a certain point, increased supply of atmospheric air and moisture niust,
according to this as all experience has hitherto shown-promote and accelerate
spontaneous combustion;-its essential nature is not to be explained by "oxidation"
but by "kinetic energy." In consequence of this, every reduction of pressure by
enclosed spaces is an additional means of protection against spontaneous combustion,
and as such is to be recommended. In apparatus for drawing-in air for mines,
inasmuch as the hitherto customary mode of supplying air i.e., by suitable side
pressure, is recognised as being the cause of "black" or "explosive damp," the
necessary improvement in supplying the requisite air for breathing, "in the working
places" by means of compressed oxygen, or compressed atmospheric air, from vessels
or receptacles of the same fitted with adjustable openings to enable the supply to be
regulated, is to be recommended, and upon this the present invention is based.
The carrying out of the invention offers no technical difficulties whatever, and
requires only due regard to local conditions and the circumstances of each individual
case.
The objects of the invention before us consist on the one hand of a new method
to prevent that most dangerous heating and spontaneous ignition of combustibles
and the like on the other hand in a new arrangement which allows of carrying out
this method in a manner the success of which can be guaranteed.
Up to the present time many experiments have been made in coal ships for
instance, to prevent the imminent danger without however taking cognizance of the
actual cause,
a) By using chemicals or introducing incombustible gases into the piles of
material.
b) By occasioning the circulation of the stagnating air, in making use of
exhausters or ventilators brought into communication with a system of pipes ;
(the latter being perforated and covered) and by introducing fresh air into
the piles.
c) By reducing the air circulation in taking off the covers of closed spaces or
of the waste-heaps.

page_text: In making use of these so called remedies, either negative results were attained
or results which gave no guarantee or perhaps injured the quality of the goods.
The original cause of the spontaneous ignition has however now been taken into
consideration and this important problem solved in quite a natural way.
The faculty of spontaneous ignition is a characteristic quality of certain materials,
all belonging to one and the same chemical group, the mechanical structure of
which shews labyrinths of particular chemical and biological conditions through
which these combustible materials are heated or ignited out of their inner part or
core so that the imminent danger is a consequence of the special structure of the
materials in question.
Not only coals, that is to say, organisms already carbonized, are liable to
spontaneous ignition under certain circumstances, but also numerous vegetable
textures of younger or tertiary formation as fibrous peat, fibres of hay, and so
called "Indian fibres," cotton-wool, flax, prepared bark of trees, fibres of straw and
wood, and all combinations of materials having a structure of adequate qualities.
All these materials have the propensity to ignite spontaneously, when piled
together and exposed to certain circumstances.
By his thoroughly new investigations, the inventor has found that the original
causes of the spontaneous ignition of those materials issue from the concurrence of
three distinct factors, which he explains as follows:-
:-
1. The faculty of the labyrinths in question to absorb the surrounding atmospheric
air (a faculty derived from prior life-functions) and to compress that air in.
accordance with the subsequent and accumulated pressure happening in piles of
material.
2. A certain chemical condition, by which inflammable gases are easily displayed
for instance light and heavy carburetted hydrogen-gases, or bisulphides of carbon
and others.
3. A sum of several different pressure-coefficients derived from ascertaining the
effects to be observed at the increasing motion of all molecules (atoms) in the
material piled together, whereby the following kinds of pressure are to be taken
into cousideration :
a) The mechanical pressure originated by the weight of the pile of material
and its parts eventually strengthened by a shaking motion of the pile
(ie., the rolling and pitching-motion of ships).
b) The atmospheric pressure of the surrounding common air exposed to various
changes.
c) The increasing pressure in the centre of all forces, produced in closed spaces
or in intermediate spaces in piles and heaps, and developed as
*molecular-
atmospheres" causing an increasing heat.
d) The pressure of the latent electricity of the earth (as is well known, for
this electricity, sea-water is the best conductor-to coal ships for instance).
A very dangerous reciprocal working of the three factors named before, arises
in consequence of the conipressing of materials piled together, and of their chemical
capacity to produce inflammable gases either when all the pressures spoken of
under a) to d) or even when only some of them manifest their presence by causing
the consequent increasing of heat, and the unbalanced expansion of the molecules
in motion; that is to say, when they engender the consequent increasing of the so
called "molecular atmospheres in order finally to ignite those structures which
are best prepared and show the most favourable conditions for spontaneous ignition,
being under the growing pressure and the continual accumulation of the different
compressing effects.
It may be worth while to mention, that the spontaneous ignition of suitable
material can be caused by sudden compression. Also under less favourable
conditions as for instance is proved by the well known experiment of lighting
tinder, it being effected by the sudden compression of the cold atmospheric air
round the tinder produced by applying on it a very sharp stroke with a hammer.

page_text: The inventor believes that the diagnosis just described explains the causes of
spontaneous ignition of certain conbustible materials in a perfectly natural way.
The more the different parts of the heap or pile are prepared by the increased
production of gases and heat, and the larger dimensions these parts have, the more
extensive will be the ignition and the more disastrous must be the phenomenon,
which often engenders a frightful explosion and a raging fire-the latter being in
most cases the characteristic result of spontaneous ignition.
In this unconstrained dissertation-that is to say, in this natural explanation of
the fact not yet hitherto thoroughly explained, it is proved that the apprehensions
of the inventor, and the remedy herewith proposed by him are perfectly correct and
.well founded.
The two first mentioned factors causing the spontaneous ignition of materials
piled together cannot be removed because they are rooted in the natural structure
of the goods heaped together, but it is possible to alter the third factor consisting
of multiplied pressure-coefficients.
To eliminate this continual accumulation of increasing pressure-and, by
observing, to control it-means altogether destroying the evil in its germ, and pro-
viding an "alarm apparatus which is reliable and gives a guarantee under all
circumstances.
These purposes are attained in a natural way and with greatest perfection-as is
described in this Specification and shown in the accompanying drawings-by the
arrangement of air-tight compartments as store-rooms for materials which are
subject to spontaneous ignition. These localities may be brought into communi-
cation with air-pumps or exhausters and they may be controlled by well known
indicators. With particularly dangerous materials it is preferable to provide the
store-rooms or coal-bunkers with self-acting air-tight closure mechanism for the
supplying and discharging of the combustible materials. The outlets must allow
the removal of any desired part of the contents of these store-room.
In the accompanying drawings:-
Figures 1 and 2 are respectively a vertical section and a plan of a store-room
constructed according to this invention;
Figures 3 and 4 are respectively a longitudinal and a cross section of a coal-bunker
provided with self-acting air-tight closure mechanism, and
Figures 5 and 6 of an automatic exhausting apparatus also constructed according
to this invention.
The store-room a is constructed according to requirements and the materials in
question, are loaded therein whilst the air-tight closure device may be arranged
in any desired mauner so that the combustible materials are preserved from the
influence of the surrounding atmospheric air.
In the upper part of the store-room a one or more devices are provided for the
withdrawal of the air as for instance pipes c in communication with which are air-
pumps exhausters or equivalent. At the pipe-ends projecting inside the store-room,
perforated dust catchers or arresters d are provided.
A vacuum gauge communicating with the interior of the store-room provides
for the controlling of the vacuum and gives a guarantee against danger. It may be
called an "alarm apparatus."
It may here be remarked that the motion of a ship which formerly increased the
pressure in the piles of material therein, now by its rolling and pitching, when
the materials are brought under vacuum-facilitates the absorption of the
"molecular-atmospheres" of the intermediate spaces between the materials.
Figures 3 and 4 represent a self-acting arrangement for the feeding and emptying
of store-rooms the discharging of the cargo being accomplished in the usual way,
for instance in ships by the hatchways.
Here the store-room a into which the ends of pipes c with dust-catchers or
arresters d protrude is provided with a selfacting closure-device consisting of
shaft g with a drum h fixed thereon.

page_text: In this drum are comprised three solid segments of equal dimensions and
three intermediate spaces between the segments. The segments serve for the
closure of the inlet, whilst the intermediate spaces, when presented to the opening
allow the passage of the materials to be loaded.
.
A similar drum h may also be arranged at the bottom of the store-room as shown
in Figures 3 and 4. The air-tight closure in both the arrangements is accomplished
automatically by the solid segments, one of which is always before the admission
funnel and another at the discharging opening o which has preferably the shape of
a. funnel.
By turning the shaft g of the drum however the intermediate spaces F of
the latter may be brought before the hopper t so that the materials to be store }.
may pass into the chamber a. The same operation takes place at the outlet by
turning the shaft g of the drum h' so that the materials to be discharged may easily
pass out of the chamber a.
The drums and ' may be operated by any suitable motor according to the
required rate of supply and discharge of the material to and from the chamber a.
The self-acting air-tight closure devices of the admission and discharging
openings may be in other positions than those shown in Figures 3 and 4 and may
be modified without departing from the spirit of the invention for instance
transporting screws may be used.
In the device shown in Figures 5 and 6 the air is drawn through a rotary air-
vane or weathercock wind-aspirator W which arranged either singly or in multiple,
may serve cheaply and safely many such purposes, e.g., on board sailing-vessels.
The inspiration, suction or pressure relieving effect, produced by this device in
confined places, is obtained by the wind being caught in the funnel B, forced.
forward under increasing pressure and consequent increasing speed through the
narrowest part and protected and expanded in the reversed funnel D, so that, in
passing by the bent outlet of the suction-pipe c, it creates a vacuum throughout a
conically shaped space V.
The expansion of the air-current contracted by B, as well as the intensity and
power of suction created by the vacuum are dependent upon the variable velocity
of the air-current flowing through, and the compensatory efforts induced in the
confined workings, while the rotary air-vane W induces the whole apparatus to
adjust itself in consonance with the direction of the wind.
When the air is calm and still, and there is no wind, the apparatus at least
permits the self-relieving outflow from the confined workings or places of those
gas-evolutions or developments which are a natural property and outcome of
spontaneously combustible material and which lower the point of combustion,
according to the length of the suction-pipe more than the superficial area of the
accumulation of cells.
Corresponding to the given characteristic of the spontaneous combustion, the
rapid evolution of gases must be restrained and controlled, because their increased
condensation generates heat and increased evolution of gases. The means of this
control are by temperature and pressure measurements-vacuum gauge-which,
by rising temperature and pressure, release audible alarm or other apparatus,
which are so arranged that they permit the desired examination of the inner
heat and pressure relations:-consideration and attention must previously have
been given to the effects of the shaking and jolting on ship's cargoes, e.g., coal,
in rendering some such provision necessary and advantageous. Such warnings
by means of the appliances above referred to, require naturally to be followed
by the taking of measures for improved and extended relief by suction being
brought to bear on the accumulations and their development, either by means
of exhausters, air-pumps, ventilators, or the like apparatus or arrangement, the
preliminary and suitable provision and installation of which is obviously necessary
or essential, as much as the employment of extra-pumping appliances for pouring
water in, in case of need.

page_text: Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of the said inven-
tion, as communicated to me by my foreign correspondent, and in what manner the
same is to be performed, I declare that what I claim is :-
1. The prevention of heating or spontaneous ignition of coal and other com-
bustible or readily ignitable material, by lodging the material in an air-tight
chamber and exhausting the air from and maintaining a vacuum in the chamber.
2. In apparatus for carrying out the method set forth in the preceding claim
the combination with an air-tight chamber of an air-pump or other exhauster,
one or more suction pipes c connecting the chamber with the exhauster a vacuum-
gauge or alarm-apparatus of whereby a guarantee for the safe charging and
discharging of the materials into and from the chamber is obtained and self-
acting air-tight closure devices such as h and h¹ substantially as described and
illustrated in the accompanying drawings.
3. Apparatus for carrying into effect the process described in Claim 1 com-
prising means for obtaining a relief of pressure by withdrawing the air from
mining-workings, and by local extension or increase of air for breathing, by
means of compressed oxygen or compressed atmospheric air substantially as
described.
4. The combination and arrangement of parts constituting the apparatus for
preventing the heating or spontaneous ignition of coals and other combustible
or readily ignitable material substantially as described and illustrated in the
accompanying drawings.
5. An automatic air exhauster constructed and operating in the manner and for
the purpose substantially as described and illustrated in Figures 5 and 6 of the
accompanying drawings.
Dated this Second day of September 1895.
BOULT & WADE,
Agents for the. Applicant.