IMPROVEMENTS IN THE MEANS AND APPARATUS FOR CONSUMING SMOKE
Year: 1865

page_text: the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on the 24th June
1865. A communication from abroad by Francois Auguste Fouche
Boiler Maker, and Claude Moret, Mechanician, both of 29, Boulevart
St. Martin, Paris.
1. WILLIAM CLARK, of 53, Chancery Lanc, in the County of Middlesex,
Engineer, and Patent Agent. de hereby declare the nature of the said Inven-
tion for "IMPROVEMENTS IN THE MEANS AND APPARATUS FOR CONSUMING SMOKE,"
to be as follows:-
This Invention relates to an improved apparatus for consuming the smoke
produced in the furnaces of stationary, locomotive, portable, or marine engines,
or other furnaces generally. The improvements consist,
1st, in a perfect and complete method of purifying and subdividing the
smoke, the solid parts being first separated, consisting of the carbon which
produces the smoke; 2ndly, the combustible gases, such as oxide of carbon,
carburets of hydrogen, and hydrogen, are afterwards consumed afresh; and
3rdly, those parts are condensed which have been completely burnt and rendered
inert such as carbonic acid and steam.
2ndly, in improved apparatus serving to effect the purification of the
smoke, and the separation of the combustible gases of which it is composed as
above mentioned.
The Invention thus consists in the complete and continuous interception of
the smoke before it escapes from the chimney, to effect its purification and
[Price 8d.1

page_text: transformation by disengaging and eliminating the incombustible gases, the
combustible gases being returned in a continuous manner under the fire where
they are burnt and aid in the production of heat. These improvements are
illustrated in the accompanying Drawing, which shows a sectional elevation of
a smoke-consuming apparatus applied to a steam generator.
a represents the brickwork of the boiler furnace; b, chimney; c, furnace bars.
The two latter parts, namely, the furnace and flue, are of the ordinary con-
struction and do not require any modification to admit of the application oi
the smoke-consuming apparatus, which may be adapted thereto or removed
at pleasure; d, sheet or other iron damper adapted to the chimney and cutting
off the passage of the smoke into the atmosphere; this damper is always
closed, as except in cases of repairs or cleaning the boiler, this boiler furnishes
sufficient steam during the night, so that the stoker has only to place the
apparatus to work at the time the fire is lighted; /, chamber or recipient
placed in communication with the chimney b by means of pipe g serving to
conduct the smoke; this chamber is filled with water, and the smoke on
passing into it becomes deprived of its impurities, such as ashes and particles
of coal that may escape from the combustion, which matters being heavier fall
to the bottom of the receptacle, the smoke is also deprived of a portion of the
steam it contains; this chamber may be supplied in a continuous manner, and
furnished with an overflow pipe for getting rid of the surplus water; a water
guage may also be applied for indicating the rate and progress of the supply.
h, draw-off cock for the liquid in the reservoir; i, apparatus for purifying the
smoke pipe connecting the apparatus with reservoir f. This purifying
apparatus is composed of a chamber divided at the upper part into compart-
ments consisting of perforated sheet iron ; on each of these is disposed lime
in powder, mixed with hay, moss, or other similar spongy matters, through
which the smoke is caused to pass and thereby become filtered and purified
of the gases and carbonic acid and steam it contains; the carbonic acid com-
bining with the lime transforms the latter into carbonate of lime; the smoke
which is then composed of combustible gases is finally washed in the milk of
lime contained in the lower part of the apparatus, and passes out in a pure
state through pipe to an exhauster, into which it is drawn; m, emptying cock
of the purifying apparatus; n, exhauster serving to draw the smoke through
pipe, and fixed on one side of the apparatus. One side of this apparatus is
open to admit of the introduction of a certain quantity of air which becomes
mixed with the smoke, the whole is then forced through pipe o into the
furnace under the fire-bars. The lower end of pipe o is expanded in the form
of a fan in order that the smoke may be spread and distributed over all parts

page_text: of the furnace; p. door hermitically closing the ash-pit. From the foregoing it
will be readily understood that the operation is continuous, and the chimney
being closed the smoke is forced to enter the apparatus f, i, and is thence
drawn in a pure state through pipe by means of the exhauster. where it
mixes with air and is forced to continue its circuit until it enters the furnace
under the fire-bars for the purpose of maintaining and feeding the combustion;
a great economy in the fuel also results from the gases contained in the smoke
being consumed in the furnace; increased heat is also obtained, as with these
improvements the smoke cannot escape into the atmosphere.