IMPROVEMENTS IN AND APPLICABLE TO OVENS AND FURNACES FOR THE UTILIZATION AND APPLICATION OF THE HEAT THEREOF AND THERETO.
Year: 1879

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Walter Alfred Barlow, of 6, St. Paul's Churchyard,
London, Patent Agent and Engineer, for the Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN
AND APPLICABLE TO OVENS AND FURNACES FOR THE UTILIZATION AND
APPLICATION OF THE HEAT THEREOF AND THERETO.' A communication from
abroad by Edward Tavernier, of Paris, France, Manager of tho "Société
Anonymne d'Exploitation des Procédés Fabre."
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Walter Alfred Barlow at
the Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 4th June 1879.
"
WALTER ALFRED BARLOW, of 6, St. Paul's Churchyard, London, Patent Agent
and Engineer. "IMPROVEMENTS IN AND APPLICABLE TO OVENS AND FURNACES
FOR THE UTILIZATION AND APPLICATION OF THE HEAT THEREOF AND THERETO.'
A communication from abroad by Edward Tavernier, of Paris, France, Manager of
the “Société Anonyme d'Exploitation des Procédés Fabre."
This Invention relates to certain improvements upon Letters Patent dated the
10th of December 1877, No. 4683, the same being a communication from Edouard
Fabre, of Paris, France, in the Specification whereof is described a very simple
apparatus permitting the utilization of the radiant heat existing under the sole of
inetallurgical ovens, in order to warm the air intended to feed the hearth, and so to
effect very great economy.
The 1st object is to utilize the heat in the apparatus used for evaporating
liquids.
The apparatus to which the Invention has been applied are of two kinds :—1st,
steam boilers fixed or movable; and 2nd, ovens used for manufacturing soda or
potash, such as "Porions" ovens. It is understood that all ovens in which is
produced at the same time a calcination of matters and an evaporation or con-
densation of liquids are able to receive such an application, and consequently belong
to this Invention.
In applying the Invention to steam boilers, the apparatus is arranged in the
following manner :-The flame is caused to pass into a flue of which the superior
part is formed by the boiler, and the inferior and lateral parts are formed of cast

page_text: iron plates. These plates occupy the whole length of the hearth or furnace as
well as the whole height reserved to the hearth.
Parallel to these plates a certain number of similar plates are arranged according
to Fabre's system. The plates equally distant from each other form horizontal
intervals on the bottom of the hearth, and vertical intervals on the sides in which
is introduced a series of bars, their edges being of the shape of a T or otherwise.
The assembling of these bars form a series of small flues making a way for the
air, and dividing the mass of air into small volumes or currents, which remain
a certain time in contact with the hot surface of the flues, and are carried under the
grate of the furnace which is closely shut up at its sides.
To the air a serpentine movement may be given of greater or less length before
it is introduced under the grate, by multiplying the number of the beds of air,
and directing divisions or plates.
The asperated air may also be caused to circulate through such parts of the
system as is desired, for instance, into the flue.
In the case of boilers arranged with returning flames, the system contains
separations in masonry, in that case according to this Invention these separations
are done away with, and there is substituted for them air tubes, such as those
hereinbefore described, which tubes will guide the flames.
The apparatus may be constructed in any material which is a good conductor of
the heat, but it is preferred to have it made in cast iron.
In certain apparatus, gas at a high temperature produced by the distillation of
the coals in a close chamber or retort is brought in contact with currents of air
which inflame them, and complete the combustion, and to this class of apparatus
this Invention is applied, in order to bring currents of hot air in contact with
the gas coming from the close chamber.
It will be necessary to modify the dispositions of the "Fabre's" apparatus when
the flames are to act on the retort, in order to help the distillation of the coals
before coming under the boiler; but whatever may be disposition of the air pipes,
any ordinary or gazogen hearth in which radiant lost heat is utilized for elevating
the temperature of the feeding air belong to this Invention.
This Invention is also applicable to ovens for soda or potash, wherein is
utilized either the heated air conducted under the "sole" of the oven for feeding
the hearth to produce an elevation of temperature of the flame, or in utilizing the
heated air for producing the evaporation of the liquids placed in basins on the
passage of the flames.
According to another disposition a mixed system is employed wherein the width
of the sole is occupied by two series of air tubes juxta-disposed of which one series
has for object to bring the air under the grate of the hearth, and the other has for
object to bring the air into the liquids to be evaporated. It is evident that these
applications must vary for each form of ovens, consequently it is not a special
application that is claimed, but the general application of Fabre's apparatus in
order to bring the feeding air under and through the heated parts of the oven in
such a way as to warm progressively that air, and to bring it to the highest
temperature possible, and thus to obtain an economy of fuel.
When in metallurgical ovens and more particularly in puddling furnaces, or in
ovens of any other kind, a certain quality of coals producing short flames is used
under the action of the currents of hot air fed by the Fabre's apparatus, a rapid
combustion of the coals takes place which rapidly incrusts the grates.
The short flames produced by the combustion of the coals are not sufficiently
oxidizing to procure the complete combustion of the carbonised gas, which has
escaped from the bed of the coals spread on the grates.
In order to remedy this inconvenience the air pipes are divided into two series,
as in the manner explained above. One series is intended to bring the hot air
under the grates, and the other series has for object to conduct it to the surface
of the vault above the "altar" of the oven. The hot air brought forth in that way
is taken up by the draught of the chimney; it is mixed with the flames, and gas

page_text: produced by the combustion of the coals, and gives rise to long flames rich in
oxygen, and consequently proper to produce the decarbonization of the casting.
The flame and the gas will meet the hot air asperated by the draught of the
chimney, and will be mixed entirely with it, and their complete combustion will
thus be obtained; the flames will become more oxidizing, and consequently very fit
for the fining of the metal.
A system of registers admit of the regulation of the quantity of air sent into the
interior of the oven, and also to send a portion of that air or the whole of it under
the grating of the hearth, which may be necessary with certain qualities of coal.
In order to avoid the incrusting of the grating there is placed under it at a short
distance a tube perforated by small apertures into which water is introduced at a
sufficient pressure to produce a spray.
The spray so obtained keeps the grating in a perfect state, and facilitates the
reduction of the coals and the formation of combustible gases, which under the
action of the air introduced on their passage in the oven will produce long
oxidizing flames.
A system of movable gratings is also employed to produce the rupture of cinder
and ash, and keep the bars cleaned without picking at them. In order to obtain
this result an aperture is provided in the holder of each bar in its part the most
distant from the door, and there is introduced therein a rod in such
the bars may oscillate round it.
way that all
A system of cams conveniently disposed allows all the paired bars to be
alternately raised, and also the bars impaired which produces the breaking up of
the refuse cinder and the cleaning of the grating.

page_text: SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed by
the said Walter Alfred Barlow in the Great Seal Patent Office on the 4th
December 1879.
"
WALTER ALFRED Barlow, of 6, St. Paul's Churchyard, London, Patent Agent
and Engineer.
"IMPROVEMENTS IN AND APPLICABLE TO OVENS AND FURNACES
FOR THE UTILIZATION AND APPLICATION OF THE HEAT THEREOF AND THERETO."
A cominunication from abroad by Edward Tavernier, of Paris, France, Manager of
the "Société Anonyme d'Exploitation des Procédés Fabre."
This Invention relates to certain improvements upon Letters Patent dated the
10th of December 1877, No. 4683, the same being a communication from Edouard
Fabre, of Paris, France, in the Specification whereof is described a very simple
apparatus, permitting the utilization of the radiant heat existing under the sole of
metallurgic ovens, in order to warm the air intended to feed the hearth, and so to
effect very great and important economy.
The 1st object is to utilize the heat in the apparatus used for evaporating
liquids.
The apparatus to which the Invention has been applied are of two kinds.
1st. Steam boilers fixed or movable; and 2nd, ovens used for manufacturing soda
or potash, such as Porion's ovens.
It is understood that all ovens in which is produced at the same time a calci-
nation of matters and an evaporation or condensation of liquids, are able to receive
such an application, and consequently are competent for the application of this
Invention.
In applying the Invention to steam boilers, the apparatus is arranged in the
following manner :-The flame is caused to pass into a flue of which the upper part
is formed by the boiler, and the lower and lateral parts are formed of cast iron
plates.
These plates occupy the whole length of the hearth or furnace, as well as the
whole height reserved to the hearth.
Parallel to these plates a certain number of similar plates are arranged according
to Fabre's said system.
The plates equally distant from each other form horizontal intervals on the
bottom of the construction, and vertical intervals on the sides, in which is intro-
duced a series of bars on edge, their edges having the form of a double T or
otherwise.
The assembling of these bars forms a series of small flues making a way for the
air, and dividing the mass of air into small volumes or currents which remain a
certain time in contact with the greatest possible hot surface, and are carried under
the grate of the furnace, which is closely shut up so as it will not be possible to
receive the feeding air otherwise than over the conduits above referred to.
To the air a serpentine movement may be given of greater or less length before
it is introduced under the grate, by multiplying the number of the beds of air, and
directing divisions or plates. The asperated air may also be caused to circulate
through such parts of the system as is desired, for instance, into the flue.
In the case of boilers arranged with returning flames, the system contains
separations in masonry; in that case according to this Invention these separations
are done away with, and there is substituted for them air tubes, such as those
hereinbefore described, which tubes will guide the flames.
The apparatus may be constructed in any material which is a good conductor of
the heat, but it is preferred to have it made in cast iron.
In the annexed Sheet of Drawings Fig. 1 is a steam generator of which the
furnace is fed by the heated air according to this process; A is the generator;
B, the grate of the furnace; H, a plate destined to close the ash pit; f is a plate in
cast iron or any other matter suitable for the flames to come in contact with; F is a

page_text: plate in cast iron or other material serving as a conductor for the flame and the
smoke; c is a separation plate in cast iron; d, d, are the conduits of the air
arranged as those described in the said Specification of Fabre's Patent before
referred to.
The air is drawn in at d² where it follows the movement of the arrows, and it
strikes at de under the plate f, where it is discharged under the furnace B.
Fig. 2 represents in plan a construction according to this Invention adapted to a
furnace of a boiler with returning flames; in this case, the air conduits are shown
at d and d', so that the flames come in contact with the conduits, following the
course indicated by the arrows, when after some time they operate to heat the
steam boilers by means of a gazogen apparatus with reversing flame. In this
apparatus the gases at high temperature proceeding from the distillation of the
coal in the feeding chamber are brought in contact with currents of air, which
enflames them and completes the combustion.
It has been designed to feed these kinds of apparatus by hot air produced by
apparatus constructed according to this Invention, and one of these constructions is
represented in Fig. 3, wherein P is the chamber or retort charged with coal and
hermetically closed; M. is the grate constituting the open part at the bottom of the
chamber; B is the furnace bars; B¹, a second inclined grate; F, the plate forming
the base of the conduit of the flames and smoke.
The air is drawn in at d¹ and follows the direction of the arrows, and passos out
at the highest possible temperature under the furnace grate B and B. There are
thus formed currents of heated air which meet the gases at a high temperature from
the retort P and onflame them, thus producing under the boiler A a heightened
temperature.
It will be necessary to modify the dispositions of the "Fabre's" apparatus when
the flames are to act on the retort, in order to help the distillation of the coals
before coming under the boiler; but whatever may be the disposition of the air
conduits, any ordinary or gazogen hearth in which the radiant lost heat is utilized
for elevating the temperature of the feeding air will enter into this Invention.
This Invention is also applicable to ovens for soda or potash, wherein is utilized
either the heated air conducted under the "sole" of the oven for feeding the hearth
to produce an elevation of temperature of the flame, as it is the case in Fabre's
system where applied to puddling furnaces; or in utilizing the heated air for
producing the evaporation of the liquids placed in basins on the passage of the
flames.
In this case it will be necessary to drive the heated air across or over the liquids
by means of a fan, blower, or ventilator, and in Fig. 4 is represented an oven for
soda, wherein the system is applied.
B is the hearth whereof the ash pit is closed on all sides; F is the sole of
oven; M and M¹ are basins containing the liquids to be condensed before being
made to descend on the sole F; C is the chimney. The air comes in at d, and is
brought successively to d¹, d³, d³, becoming thus hotter and hotter when it dis-
charges under the grate B.
It on the contrary the air is to be utilized to assist the evaporation of liquids in
M and M' by boiling, a ventilator is provided at the entrance d, and there is
conducted by the appropriate conduits heated air below the vessels M, M³, to
promote the evaporation.
If desired a mixed system may be employed wherein the width of the sole is
occupied by two series of air conduits juxta-disposed, of which one series has for
object to bring the air under the grate of the furnace, and the other to conduct
the heated air to the liquids to be evaporated.
It is evident that these applications of the Invention must vary for each con-
struction of ovens; therefore it is intended to claim the general application of
conduits which are of materials which are good conductors of heat, so as to conduct
the feeding air under or across the heated parts of the oven, so as to progressively

page_text: raise the temperature of this air to as high a degree as possible, and also to secure
considerable saving in fuel.
Having now described the nature and particulars of the said Invention so that
the same may be readily carried into practical effect, I claim,—
First. The utilization of the radiant heat produced by the flames to bring the air
destined for feeding the furnace of steam generators to as high a degree of tem-
perature as possible, as herein specified.
Second. The construction of apparatus herein described for obtaining these
results, and allowing the circulation of the air as slowly as possible in the heated
conduits and parts, so as to bring the same under the furnace grate at a high
temperature.
Third. The application of this system to gazogen apparatus, as herein set forth.
Fourth. The application of the system to calcining ovens, such as ovens for soda
and the like.
Fifth. The employment of the heated air to produce the condensation of liquids,
as described.
Sixth. The simultaneous use of the air conduits to carry the heated air both to
the furnace and to the liquid evaporation basins, as described.
In witness whereof, I, the said Walter Alfred Barlow, have hereunto set my
hand and seal, this Third day of December, in the year of our Lord One
thousand eight hundred and seventy-nine.
In presence of
ALFRED E. WELSH,
his Clerk,
6, St. Paul's Churchyard,
London, E.C.
WALTER A. BARLOW. (L.S.)