Year: 1870

page_text: TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, I, JAMES
HENDERSON, of New York, in the United States of America, send
greeting.
WHEREAS Her most Excellent Majesty Queen Victoria, by Her
Royal Letters Patent, bearing date the Ninth day of April, One
thousand eight hundred and seventy, No. 1051, did, for Herself, Her
heirs and successors, grant unto me, the said James Henderson,
Her special license. that I, the said James Henderson, my
executors, administrators, and assigns, or such others as I, the said
James Henderson, my executors, administrators, or 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 Islands, and Isle of Man, an

page_text: AND STEEL:"
And whereas I, the said James Henderson, by a Complete Speci-
fication, being an instrument in writing under my hand and seal, did
particularly describe the nature of the said Invention, and in what
manner the same was to be performed, and caused the same to be filed
in the Great Seal Patent Office, with my Petition and Declaration,
on the said Ninth day of April, One thousand eight hundred and
seventy, pursuant to the Ninth Section of the Patent Law Amend.
ment Act, 1852:
And whereas prior to the filing of my said Complete Specification I
did on the Third day of February, One thousand eight hundred and
seventy, cause my agent, Alfred Vincent Newton, to apply for Letters
Patent for an Invention communicated to him by me, and at the same
time to lodge a Provisional Specification, in which Provisional Speci-
fication it is stated, as the fact was, that the said Invention consisted
in the combined use of fluor spar with titaniferous iron or titaniferous
iron ores:
And whereas subsequently to the said application I made the further
Invention that the beneficial results such as are obtained by the said
specified combined use of fluor spar with titaniferous iron ores might be
obtained by the use of fluor spar or fluorides not only with those ores
but with oxides as a class being oxides, which as stated in my said
Complete Specification are adapted to use in the manufacture of wrought
iron and steel, for which further Invention I applied for and obtained
the said Letters Patent dated the Ninth day of April, One thousand
eight hundred and seventy:
And whereas since filing my said Complete Specification I have
ascertained that in describing and claiming my said further Invention
I have used terms that are too large and language which may be
understood as describing and claiming more than should be comprised
in my said further Invention, and would include the former Invention,
the subject of my said communication to the said Alfred Vincent
Newton, for which the said Letters Patent of the Third day of February,
One thousand eight hundred and seventy, were granted :
And whereas I am desirous of disclaiming such former Invention as
forming any part of my present further Invention.

page_text: "
NOW KNOW YE, that I, the said James Henderson, by and with
the leave of Her Majesty's Attorney-General, and for the reason afore-
said, and in order hereby to properly limit the description of my said
further Invention, I insert in my said Specification, between the words
with oxides" and the words "in such a manner as," which are found
in page 2, line 7, of the Queen's Printers copy of the said Specification,
published in One thousand eight hundred and seventy, the following
words, "as a class as herein-after referred to, but not including titaniferous
ores."
I also insert between the words, "It is in this that," and the
words "the distinguishing characteristic," which are found in page 2,
line 12, of the said Queen's Printers copy, the following words, "as regards
the above-mentioned application of the said oxides and fluorides," I also
substitute for the words "orides" and "oride," which are found
respectively in page 2, line 7, and in page 3, line 24, of the same copy,
the words "oxides" and "oxide." I also insert between the words "having
thus described my Invention" and the words "I claim the," which are
found in page 4, line 9, of the same Queen's Printers copy, the words, "I
"would have it understood that I make no claim to the application of
"fluor spar or fluorides combined with titaniferous ores, as mentioned in
"the Provisional Specification of the Letters Patent applied for and
"obtained by Alfred Vincent Newton, and dated February Third, One
"thousand eight hundred and seventy, but." I also insert between the
words"
oxides" and the words "substantially in the manner," which
are found in page 4, line 11, of the same Queen's Printers copy, the
following words, "such as are herein-before mentioned, but not including

page_text: I am aware that different fluoridos and different oxides have before been
used in the production of wrought iron and steel; but they have hereto-
fore been employed separately, and not combined together as I use them.
It is in this that as regards the above-mentioned application of the said
oxides and fluorides the distinguishing characteristic of my improvement
consists, for the reason that when either of them are used separately
instead of being used together, the reactions necessary to effect the object
and
used in the production of wrought iron and steel; but they have hereto-
fore been employed separately, and not combined together as I use them.
It is in this that as regards the above-mentioned application of the said
oxides and fluorides the distinguishing characteristic of my improvement
consists, for the reason that when either of them are used separately
instead of being used together, the reactions necessary to effect the object
which I have in view are not produced.
Any of the fluorides or oxides which are adapted to use in the
manufacture of wrought iron or steel may be employed in my improved
process.
One of the modes of application of my said Invention which I have
tried with success, and which I deem to be the best, is to run molten
cast iron from a melting or smelting furnace into a reverberatory or
steel melting or converting furnace, or into any other suitable furnace
or receptacle previously charged with fluor spar in admixture with oxide
of iron, both finely pulverized and rendered viscid by the heat of the
furnace or converter, or made plastic by being mixed with starch or gum
water or some other equivalent mucilaginous substance, and in that
condition applied to the inner surface of the furnace or converter and
dried. When the molten metal is poured into the furnace or converter
thus prepared, the heat dissolves the fluoride, which combines with the
silica contained in the oxide or oxides and in the iron, and by reason
of the affinity of fluor spar for silica and of oxygen for carbon,
oxidizing reactions take place at the same time between the oxygen in
the ore and the carbon in the iron; the silica and carbon are removed,
while the sulphur and phosphorous also to a considerable extent become
oxidized. This treatment removes the impurities from the iron in the
form of vapor or slag, and leaves the resulting mctal in a condition to be
hammered or rolled as malleable iron or to be converted into steel.
Another application of my process may be made by mixing granulated
cast iron with pulverized fluor spar and oxides, and charging them into
a furnace or converter. In this case the result will be the same as
before described; or cast iron may be mixed with oxides, and granu-
lated and charged upon fluor spar applied as a lining to the furnace or
converter; or oxides and fluor spar may be applied as a lining to the

page_text: furnace or converter, and pig iron charged upon them, which when
melted will cause the reactions to take place as before described. Either
or all of these methods will produce good results. It is desirable in all
cases to have the fluor spar and oxides at the bottom of the furnace or
converter, and to charge the solid or liquid iron upon it, or to have it in
admixture with the iron and oxides, in order that the effect of the fluor
spar will be fully exerted upon the crude iron when the reactions
occur.
I have found the following proportions of materials to be suitable for
carrying out my Invention, that is to say-Five hundredweight of
red hematite iron ores, such as are found in Cumberland and Lancashire,
and composed of about ninety-four per cent. of peroxide of iron and
about six per cent. of silica and alumina, and two hundredweight of
fluor spar to the ton of pig iron if the iron contain not to exceed three
per cent. of carbon, sulphur phosphorus, together; and when the
oxide of iron has a larger per-centage of silica and alumina than that
above stated, it will be well to increase the above proportion of fluor
spar one per cent. for each additional per cent. of silica and alumina in
the oxide.
I do not, however, wish to be understood as limiting my claim of
Invention to the proportions stated, as I have merely given them as
suitable for producing good results, and others may be employed when
desired.
Nor do I wish to be understood as limiting myself to the modes
above described for carrying out my process, as the oxides and the
fluor spar or fluorides may be applied together in the same manner as
and if desired in connection with other fluxes in any of the processes for
preparing crude cast iron for the production of wrought iron or steel.
Vessels having silicious linings will be injuriously affected by the
fluor spar used in my process, and therefore it will be best to protect the
silicious lining with lime or limestone or magnesia, or magnesian lime or
limestone, or if desired with cast or wrought-iron plates placed upon the
silicious lining, or upon the lime or limestone, or magnesian lime or
limestone, or silicious linings may be entirely dispensed with, and the
above-named substances may be substituted for them, and the fluorides
and oxides charged upon them.

page_text: When pig iron is employed in which manganese is not present, the
oxide of manganese should be used with the other oxides employed in
my improvement in sufficient quantity to confer the welding property
upon the iron or steel.
Having thus described my Invention I would have it understood that
I make no claim to the application of fluor spar or fluorides combined
with titaniferous ores as mentioned in the Provisional Specification of the
Letters Patent applied for and obtained by Alfred Vincent Newton,
dated February Third, One thousand eight hundred and seventy, but I
claim the process of treating crude iron by the application to it of a
combination of fluorides and oxides such as are herein-before mentioned,
but not including titaniferous ores, substantially in the manner and for
the purposes set forth.
In witness whereof, I, the said James Henderson, have hereunto
set my hand and seal, the Twenty-first day of March, in the
year of our Lord One thousand eight hundred and seventy-
two.
To the Commissioners for Patents for Inventions.
I hereby grant my fiat giving leave to the above-named James 20
Henderson to file in the Great Seal Patent Office, with the Specifi-
cation to which the same relates, the above-written Disclaimer.

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to James Henderson, of New York, in the United
States of America, for the Invention of "AN IMPROVEMENT IN THE
MANUFACTURE OF WROUGHT IRON AND STEEL."
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION filed by the said James Henderson
at the Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition
and Declaration, on the 9th April 1870, pursuant to the 9th.
Section of the Patent Law Amendment Act, 1852.
TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, I, JAMES
HENDERSON, of New York, in the United States of America, send
greeting.
WHEREAS I am in possession of an Invention for "AN IMPROVEMENT
IN THE MANUFACTURE OF WROUGHT IRON AND STEEL," and have petitioned
Her Majesty to grant unto me, my executors, administrators, and assigns,
Her Royal Letters Patent for the same, and have made solemn Decla-
ration that I am the true and first Inventor thereof.
NOW KNOW YE, that I, the said James Henderson, do hereby
declare, that the following Complete Specification, under my hand and

page_text: seal, fully describes and ascertains the nature of the said Invention, and
in what manner the same is to be performed, in and by the following
statement —
This Invention relates to an improved method of removing carbon,
silicon, sulphur, and phosphorus from crude iron, and it consists in the
application to liquid crude iron of fluor spar or fluorides combined
with orides in such a manner as to secure the reactions of the fluorides
and oxides simultaneously upon the iron.
I am aware that different fluorides and different oxides have before
been used in the production of wrought iron and steel, but they have
heretofore been employed separately and not combined together as I
use them. It is in this that the distinguishing characteristic of my
improvement consists, for the reason that when either of them are
used separately instead of being used together the reactions necessary to
effect the object which I have in view are not produced.
Any of the fluorides or oxides which are adapted to use in the manu-
facture of wrought iron or steel may be employed in my improved
process.
One of the modes of application of my said Invention which I have
tried with success, and which I deem to be the best, is to run molten cast
iron from a melting or smelting furnace into a réverberatory or steel
melting or converting furnace, or into any other suitable furnace or
receptacle, previously charged with fluor spar in admixture with oxide
of iron, both finely pulverized and rendered viscid by the heat of the
furnace or converter, or made plastic by being mixed with starch or gum
water or some other equivalent mucilaginous substance, and in that con-
dition applied to the inner surface of the furnace or converter and dried.
When the molten metal is poured into the furnace or converter thus
prepared the heat dissolves the fluoride, which combines with the silica
contained in the oxide or oxides and in the iron, and by reason of the
affinity of fluor spar for silica, and of oxygen for carbon, oxidizing
reactions take place at the same time between the oxygen in the ore
and the carbon in the iron, the silica and carbon are removed, while the
sulphur and phosphorus also to a considerable extent become oxidized.
This treatment removes the impurities from the iron in the form of
vapor or slag, and leaves the resulting metal in a condition to be
hammered or rolled as malleable iron or to be converted into steel.

page_text: Another application of my process may be made by mixing granulated
cast iron with pulverized fluor spar and oxides, and charging them into
a furnace or converter. In this case the result will be the same as
before described. Or cast iron may be mixed with oxides and granulated
and charged upon fluor spar applied as a lining to the furnace or con-
verter. Or oxides and fluor spar may be applied as a lining to the
furnace or converter and pig iron charged upon them, which when
melted will cause the reactions to take place as before described. Either
or all of these methods will produce good results. It is desirable in all
cases to have the fluor spar and oxides at the bottom of the furnace or
converter, and to charge the solid or liquid iron upon it, or to have it
in admixture with the iron and oxides, in order that the effect of the
fluor spar will be fully exerted upon the crude iron when the reactions
occur.
I have found the following proportions of materials to be suitable for
carrying out my Invention, that is to say-Five hundredweight of red.
hematite iron ores, such as are found in Cumberland and Lancashire,
and composed of about 94 per cent. of peroxide of iron and about 6 per
cent. of silica and alumina, and two hundredweight of fluor spar to the
ton of pig iron if the iron contain not to exceed 3 per cent. of carbon,
sulphur, phosphorus together, and when the oxide of iron has a larger
per-centage of silica and alumina than that above stated it will be well
to increase the above proportion of fluor spar one per cent. for each
additional per cent. of silica and alumina in the oride.
I do not however wish to be understood as limiting my claim of
Invention to the proportions stated, as I have merely given them as
suitable for producing good results and others may be employed when
desired.
Nor do I wish to be understood as limiting myself to the modes
above described for carrying out my process, as the oxides and the fluor
spar or fluorides may be applied together in the same manner as and,
if desired, in connection with other fluxes, in any of the processes
for preparing crude cast iron for the production of wrought iron or
steel.
Vessels having silicious linings will be injuriously affected by the
fluor spar used in my process, and therefore it will be best to protect
the silicious lining with lime or limestone, or magnesia or magnesian
lime or limestone, or, if desired, with cast or wrought iron plates placed

page_text: upon the silicious lining, or upon the lime or limestone, or magnesian
lime or limestone; or silicious linings. may be entirely dispensed with
and the above-named substances may be substituted for them and the
fluorides and oxides charged upon them..
When pig iron is employed in which manganese is not present the 5
oxide of manganese should be used with the other oxides employed in
my improvement in sufficient quantity to confer the welding property
upon the iron or steel.
Having thus described my Invention I claim, the process of treating
crude iron by the application to it of a combination of fluorides and 1
oxides, substantially in the manner and for the purposes set forth.
In witness whereof, I have hereunto, set my hand and scal, this
Twenty-sixth day of March One thousand cight hundred and
seventy.