IMPROVEMENTS IN FURNACES APPARATUS AND APPLIANCES CONNECTED THEREWITH, FOR MELTING AND TREATING, ORES, METALS, AND THE LIKE SUBSTANCES
Year: 1885

page_text: Qudslaves.
I WILLIAM DEIGHTON of Workington in the County of Cumberland, Engineer,
do hereby declare the nature of my said Invention for "IMPROVEMENTS IN
FURNACES APPARATUS AND APPLIANCES CONNECTED THEREWITH, FOR MELTING
AND TREATING, ORES, METALS, AND THE LIKE SUBSTANCES to be as follows:-
The objects of my Invention are fourfold namely :-
First. In the application of atmospheric blast to the ordinary or special form
of " open hearth" otherwise termed Siemens, or Siemens Martin Furnace, by
which the oxidization of the metal or metallic substances under treatment may
be facilitated and thereby the yield of the furnace largely increased.
Second. In constructing a furnace so arranged with blast tuyeres and appliances,
that it may be inclined, tilted, or oscillated at an angle by suitable mechanical
appliances, by which the blast tuyeres may be brought into more convenient
position with the molten contents of the bath of the furnace, and by which means
the tapping or discharging of the furnace may be facilitated.
Third. An improved arrangement and construction of the regenerative air and
gas chambers usually employed for such furnaces by which the said regenerative
chambers may be disconnected, removed, renewed, or replaced, without interfering
with the structure of the furnace proper, or of the other regenerative chambers
connected therewith, this last named improvement being likewise applicable to
other classes of furnaces.
Fourth. A specially constructed blast tuyere valve applicable to furnaces such
as herein described.
Although the improvements herein set forth are applicable to several classes of
furnaces a description of the manner in which they may be carried out in an
ordinary Siemens Martin regenerative gas furnace for the production of steel will
Buffice.
For this purpose the body of the furnace may be either circular, rectangular, or
other convenient form, but the circular form may be found most convenient, the
outer casing being made of metallic plates.
The relative positions of the air and gas passages and ports, and of the charging
and tapping holes would be the same, or similar to those in furnaces now in use,
the lining being of similar refractive material to that usually employed, the tuyeres
would be placed radially in the sides of the furnace in such a position as to bring

page_text: their nozzles below the level of the smallest charge which may be treated in the
furnace when in a molten state, and in furnaces where the bottoms decline from
the charging door to the tapping hole, the tuyeres should be placed on either side
of the tapping hole, thus the furnace being of circular form and the tuyeres being
placed radially the blast would be directed into and through the molten metal in
radial lines so that the currents of air from the tuyeres on either side of the
tapping hole would intersect each other, thereby increasing the intensity of the
ebolutions of the molten mass; if necessary and the form of the bottom allowed
of such an arrangement, tuyeres may be similarly placed on either side of the
charging hole.
The tuyeres thus placed being each connected with a short branch pipe, such
branch pipe being attached to a blast main pipe or belt which may be fixed all
round or partially round the outer case of the furnace.
On this blast belt and opposite to each tuyere and branch pipe and in line
therewith, is placed a specially constructed valve box, which is hereinafter more
fully described, this valve box. being used for opening and closing the tuyeres as
required, this opening and closing of the tuyeres may be effected without taking
off the blast from the back of the tuyere, thus when the bath is ready for de-
carbonizing, the blast may be turned on by removing the stoppers from the tuyeres,
and in like manner when the bath of metal has been sufficiently decarbonized, the
blast may be shut off by inserting the stoppers into the nozzles of the tuyeres,
both operations being performed through the medium of the specially constructed
blast box already referred to without shutting off the blast from the back of the
tuyeres.
The tuyeres and appliances may be placed equidistant, or otherwise, they may
be made of the same or of varying sizes, or they may be made in groups, but in
fixed: furnaces the tuyere nozzle should by preference have but one orifice.
0
The blast tuyeres apparatus and appliances herein described with a special form
of fixed furnace may be applied to existing forms of furnace now in use, I should
however by preference employ the special form of furnace as herein last described
in combination with the blast tuyeres apparatus and appliances, and likewise in
combination with the means and appliances generally described as the second
object of my invention by which the furnace may be inclined tilted or oscillated
at an angle, this may be effected from a central axis or trunnions, or by pivots
working in bearings at the front of the furnace so that the back only may be tilted
or elevated, or by two sets of pivots and bearings so that the front, or the back
of the furnace may be tilted' or elevated if so required, such pivots and bearings
forming a firm foundation for the furnace to rest upon when not being tilted.
In a furnace constructed in this manner the tilting may be effected either by
hydraulic or steam power or other convenient means.
The blast. tuyeres in such a furnace need not be provided with the specially
constructed blast box herein previously described for opening and closing the
tuyeres as the nozzles of the tuyeres would be above the level of the molten metal
whilst the furnace was level or plumb, and which would be the case during the
process of charging, melting and finishing.
When the metal in the bath was melted and ready for decarbonizing the blast
would be turned on to the tuyeres simultaneously with which, the furnace would
be tilted to a sufficient angle to cause the metal to flow to the side of the furnace
on which the tuyeres were placed and to a sufficient degree of inclination to
immerse the tuyere nozzles the required depth below the surface of the molten
metal.
In like manner the slagging holes may be placed in a convenient position for use
when the furnace is more or less tilted as the case may be.
In this arrangement of furnace the gas and air ports and passages which
connect the furnace with the regenerative chambers may be so arranged that when
the furnace is tilted for the pneumatic or blowing process these passages would
become blind or closed by the tilting of the furnace and thereby prevent the porta

page_text: or passages of the regenerative chambers becoming choked with scoria or other
matter.
I provide an orifice at a convenient position in the roof of this class of furnace
for the escape of the gases and other matter during the blowing process, a suitable
hood, screen, or chimney may likewise be provided outside the furnace, either
fixed or moveable as the case may be, the orifice in the roof being provided with
a convenient covering and appliance for opening and closing the same when
required.
The blast belt or pipe may be passed through the pivots, trunnions, or axces of
the furnace in a manner somewhat similar to that employed for conveying the
blast to the converters in the Besseiner process or they may be connected by
flexible or telescopic joints or other convenient means.
The bottom or bath of a furnace constructed with the elevating or tilting
apparatus may be made level, that is to say the usual inclination towards the
tapping hole way be dispensed with, the capacity of the furnace being thus con-
siderably increased, and the facilities for tapping, slagging, and discharging the
furnace being facilitated by the tilting of the furnace.
A furnace may thus be constructed with tuyeres on both the charging and
tapping sides, but in the event of their being placed on the charging side, a
modification in the arrangement of the charging doors would be required; by
placing the tuyeres on both sides, the furnace could be tilted and blown on either
side, a duplicate set of tuyeres being thus provided.
When removals and repairs become necessary, with this arrangement and
construction of furnace, by disconnecting the regenerative chambers, the blast
pipes and other appliances, the furnace may be lifted or otherwise bodily removed
from its position, and a duplicate furnace be placed in its stead.
The improved furnaces, apparatus and appliances herein set forth may be
employed in conjunction with any of the ordinary forms and arrangements of
regenerators now in use, but by preference I should employ an improved arrange-
ment and construction of regenerators, described as the third object of my present
Invention.
My improved arrangement consists in dividing a suitably formed shell by
preference a cylindrical. or eliptical shape, into two distinct chambers, so that
there may be a free passage of atmospheric air between the outer surfaces of the
two chambers, one of which would be used for gas, and the other for air, the
shells of these chambers may be constructed of metal, and may be lined with
the ordinary or special form of fire brick or other refractory material, which may
be arranged in chequer work similarly to the methods employed in the Siemens'
regenerative gas and air chambers.
Each regenerative chamber would be provided with suitable air and gas passages
for connecting the same with the furnace, and with the gas producer and waste
flues, such passages being provided with suitably formed joints for connecting and
disconnecting the regenerative chambers as required.
The reverse valves and other appurtenant appliances would be connected in a
similar manner to those employed in the ordinary Siemens' regenerative furnaces,
each chamber however would be provided with a separate and inoveable cover, and
side man holes.
The regenerative chambers herein last described would be arranged and con-
structed upon a metallic foundation, platform, or base, such platform or base being
constructed with wheels, runners, or rollers, or their equivalent, and of sufficient
strength to carry the regenerative chambers, so that they can be disconnected from
the furnaces and flues, and bodily removed in any convenient direction away from
the furnace, thus facilitating repairs by increasing the accessibility of the parts
and connections, and by providing sufficient space, a duplicate pair of regenerative
chambers and moveable base may be run up to and connected with the furnace
and passages, this arrangement of course being applicable to either or both sides of
the furnace.

page_text: The specially constructed blast, tuyere valve box; herein previously referred to
as the fourth object of my Invention, would be more particularly applicable where
the improved pneumatic process is used with the existing or special form of fixed
furnace.
It consists of an ordinary slide or sluice valve, with a cylindrical or other formed
case, the longitudinal axis of which is at right angles to the valve, the valve case
is provided with a flange by which it is connected with the outer side of the blast
belt, and in a position directly opposite and in line with the tuyere, (each tuyere
being provided with a similar valve box) the chamber of the valve at the back
of the slide is provided with a hinged lid or door of approximately the same size
as the case of the valve, this lid is likewise provided with a smaller hinged lid or
door immediately in its centre, both doors being fitted with a convenient form of
screw cramp, latch, or other suitable hand fastening, the smaller lid may be fitted
with glass, talk, or other suitable material, to act as a sight hole, the small orifice
in the main lid or door is made sufficiently large in diameter to allow of the
insertion of a stopper or bot rod, pricker, or other similar tool or appliance, the
action of the box and appliances being as follows:-
To stop or close the tuyeres, both doors are opened, and the blast pressure being
on, the slide valve is previously shut to prevent the escape of the blast in the
direction of the operator, the end of the bot rod furthest from the bot or stopper
end, and which is parallel, is then inserted through the smaller orifice in which it
has sufficient play to allow of its being freely moved, the rod is then drawn through
the orifice until the bot end can be turned into the valve box and the main door
closed and made fast the slide valve is then opened, when the bot rod can be slided
forward in a direct line to the tuyere, the bot or stopper having been placed in the
orifice from the back, and the orifice being conical in form with its largest diameter
to the rear, the pressure of blast at the back of the tuyeres would have the effect
of keeping the bot or stopper tight in its place, the stopper or bot rod may then
be drawn back into the valve box, the slide valve closed, the large lid opened, the
rod entirely withdrawn, and both doors reclosed, when the tuyeres have to be
opened the same process of inserting and introducing the rod would be followed,
but in this instance it would be a pricker, or other suitable tool by which the bot
or stopper could be removed, the particles of which when loosened being blown by
the blast into the furnace.
As a modification of the last described appliances for stopping and unstopping
the tuyeres, the tuyeres may be so constructed at the inner ends and sides of their
nozzle orifices as to admit of their being closed and opened by prepared stoppers
somewhat similar to the stoppers and nozzles used in Bessemer and Siemens' ladles,
such stoppers being attached to rods which would be passed through the valve box
and the outer lid, similar to the method already described for the loose stopper
and pricker rods, only in this modified arrangement the stopper rods could be made
shorter and be actuated by levers or other equivalent contrivances.
This modified arrangement could be used in conjunction with the arrangement
previously described, that is to say the former arrangement can always be fallen
back upon in case of accident.
R. HEBER RADFORD,
Agent for the Applicant.

page_text: Substances.
I WILLIAM DEIGHTON of Workington in the county of Cumberland Engineer do
hereby declare the nature of my said Invention for IMPROVEMENTS IN FURNACES
APPARATUS AND APPLIANCES CONNECTED THEREWITH, FOR MELTING AND TREATING
ORES, METALS AND THE LIKE SUBSTANCES, and in what manner the same is to
be performed to be particularly described and ascertained in and by the following
statement:-
The objects of my invention are fourfold namely
First. In the application of atmospheric blast to the ordinary or special form of
"openhearth" otherwise termed Siemens, or Siemens-Martin Furnace, by which
the oxidization of the metal or metallic substances under treatment may be
facilitated and thereby the yield of the furnace largely increased.
Second. In constructing a furnace so arranged with blast tuyeres and appliances,
that it may be inclined, tilted, or oscillated at an angle by suitable mechanical
appliances, by which the blast tuyeres may be brought into more convenient
position with the molten contents of the bath of the furnace and by which means
the tapping or discharging of the furnace may be facilitated.
Third. An improved arrangement and construction of the regenerative air and
gas chambers usually employed for such furnaces by which the said regenerative
chambers may be disconnected, removed, renewed, or replaced, without interfering
with the structure of the furnace proper, or of the other regenerative chambers
connected therewith, this last named improvement being likewise applicable to
other classes of furnaces.
Fourth. A specially constructed blast tuyere valve applicable to furnaces such as
herein described.
Although the improvements herein setforth are applicable to several classes of
furnaces a description of the manner in which they may be carried out in an
ordinary Siemans Martin regenerative gas furnace for the production of steel will
suffice.
For this purpose the body of the furnace may be either circular, rectangular, or
other convenient form, but the circular form may be found most convenient, the
outer casing being made of metallic plates.
The relative positions of the air and gas passages and ports, and of the charging
and tapping holes would be the same, or similar to those in furnaces now in use,
the lining being of similar refractory material to that usually employed, the tuyeres
would be placed radially in the sides of the furnace in such a position as to bring
their nozzles below the level of the smallest charge which may be treated in the
furnace when in a molten state, and in furnaces where the bottoms decline from
the charging door to the tapping hole the tuyeres should be placed on either side of
the tapping hole, thus the furnace being of circular form and the tüyeres being

page_text: placed radially, the blast would be directed into and through the molten metal in
radial lines so that the currents of air from the tuyeres on either side of the
tapping hole would intersect each other thereby increasing the intensity of the
ebolutions of the molten mass; if necessary and the form of the bottom allowed of
such an arrangement, tuyeres may be similarly placed on either side of the
charging hole.
The tuyeres there placed being each connected with a short branch pipe such
branch pipe being attached to a blast main pipe or belt which may be fixed all
round or partially round the outer case of the furnace.
On this blast belt and opposite to each tuyere and branch pipe and in line
therewith is placed a specially constructed valve box, which is hereinafter more
fully described, this valve box being used for opening and closing the tuyeres as
required, this opening and closing of the tuyeres may be effected without taking
off the blast from the back of the tuyere, thus when the bath is ready for
decarbonizing, the blast may be turned on by removing the stoppers from the
tuyeres, and in like manner when the bath of metal has been sufficiently decar-
bonized, the blast may be shut off by inserting the stoppers into the nozzles of the
tuyeres, both operations being performed through the medium of the specially
'constructed blast box already refferred to without shutting off the blast from the
back of the tuyeres.
The tuyeres and appliances may be placed equidistant, or otherwise, they may
'made of the same or of varying sizes, or they may be made in groups, but in fixed
furnaces the tuyere nozzle should by preference have but one orifice.
i
The blast tuyeres apparatus and appliances herein described with a special form
of circular fixed furnace may be applied to other forms of furnace now in use,
I should however by preference employ.the circular form of furnace as herein last
described in combination with the blast tuyeres apparatus and appliances, and
likewise in combination with the means and appliances generally described as the
second object of my invention by which the furnace may be inclined tilted or
oscillated at an angle, this may be effected from a central axis or trunnions, or by
pivots working in bearings at the front of the furnace so that the back only may
be tilted or elevated, or by two sets of pivots and bearings so that the front or the
back of the furnace may be tilted or elevated if so required, such pivots and
bearings forming a firm foundation for the furnace to rest upon when not being
tilted.
In a furnace constructed in this manner the tilting may be effected either by
hydraulic or steam power or other convenient means.
The blast tuyeres in such a furnace need not be provided with the specially
constructed blast box herein previously described for opening and closing the
tuyeres as the nozzles of the tuyeres would be above the level of the molten metal
whilst the furnace was level or plumb, (and which would be the case during the
process of charging, melting and finishing.)
When the metal in the bath was melted and ready for decarbonizing, the blast
would be turned on to the tuyeres simultaneously with which, the furnace would be
tilted to a sufficient angle to cause the metal to flow to the side of the furnace on
which the tuyeres were placed and to a sufficient degree of inclination to immerse
the tuyere nozzles the required depth below the surface of the molten metal.
In like manner the slagging holes may be placed in a convenient position for use
when the furnace is more or less tilted as the case may be.
In this arrangement of furnace the gas and air ports and passages which connect
the furnace with the regenerative chambers may be so arranged that when the
furnace is tilted for the pneumatic or blowing process these passages would become
blind or closed by the tilting of the furnace and thereby prevent the ports or
passages of the regenerative chambers becoming choked with scoria or other matter
and should it be found necessary the charging and slagging holes of the furnace
may be closed by blocks of refractory material to prevent them becoming choked
from the same cause,

page_text: I provide an orifice at a convenient position in the roof of this class of furnace
for the escape of the gases and other matter during the blowing process, a suitable
hood, screen, or chimney may likewise be provided, outside the furnace, either
fixed or moveable as the case may be, the orifice in the roof being provided with
a convenient covering and appliances for opening and closing the same when
required.
The blast belt or pipe may be passed through the pivots, trunnions or axes of
the furnace in a manner somewhat similar to that employed for conveying the blast
to the converters in the Bessemer process, or they may be connected by flexible or
telescopic joints or other convenient means.
The bottom or bath of a furnace constructed with the elevating or tilting
apparatus may be made level, that is to say the usual inclination towards the
tapping hole may be dispensed with, the capacity of the furnace being thus
considerably increased, and the facilities for tapping, slagging, and discharging the
furnace being facilitated by the tilting of the furnace.
A furnace may thus be constructed with tuyeres on both the charging and tapping
sides, but in the event of their being placed on the charging side, a modification in
the arrangement of the charging doors would be required; by placing the tuyeres
on both sides, the furnace could be tilted and blown on either side, a duplicate set
of tuyeres being thus provided.
When removals and repairs become necessary, with this arrangement and
construction of furnace, by disconnecting the regenerative chambers, the blast
pipes and other appliances, the furnace may be lifted or otherwise bodily removed
from its position, and a duplicate furnace be placed in its stead.
The improved furnaces, apparatus and appliances herein set forth may be
employed in conjunction with any of the ordinary forms and arrangements of
regenerators now in use, but by preference I should employ an improved arrange-
ment and construction of regenerators, described as the third object of my present
Invention.
My improved arrangement consists in dividing a suitably formed shell by
preference a cylindrical, or eliptical shape, into two distinct chambers, so that there
may be a free passage of atmospheric air between the outer surfaces of the two
chambers, one of which would be used for gas, and the other for air, the shells of
these chambers may be constructed of metal, and may be lined with the ordinary
or special form of fire brick, or other refractory material; which may be arranged
in chequer work similarly to the methods employed in the Siemens regenerative
gas and air chambers. Each regenerative chamber would be provided with suitable
air and gas passages for connecting the same with the furnace, and with the gas
producer and waste flues, such passages being provided with suitably formed
joints for connecting and disconnecting the regenerative chambers as required, they.
may likewise be provided with water jackets.
The reverse valves and other appurtenant appliances would be connected in a
similar manner to those employed in the ordinary Siemens regenerative furnaces,
each chamber however would be provided with a separate and moveable cover, and
side manholes.
The regenerative chambers herein last described would be arranged and
constructed upon a metallic foundation, platform, or base, such platform or base
being constructed with wheels, runners or rollers, or their equivalent and of
sufficient strength to carry the regenerative chambers, so that they can be
disconnected from the furnaces and flues, and bodily removed in any convenient
direction away from the furnace, thus facilitating repairs by increasing the
accessibility of the parts and connections, and by providing sufficient space, a
duplicate pair of regenerative chambers and moveable base may be run up to and
connected with the furnace and passages, this arrangement of course being applicable
to either or both sides of the furnace.
The specially constructed blast tuyere valve box, herein previously referred to
as the fourth object of my invention, would be more particularly applicable where

page_text: the improved pneumatic process is used with the existing or special form of fixed
furnace.
It consists of an ordinary slide or sluice valve, with a cylindrical or other formed
case, the longitudinal axis of which is at right angles to the valve, the valve case
is provided with a flange by which it is connected with the outer side of the blast
belt, and in a position directly opposite and in line with the tuyere, (each tuyere
being provided with a. similar valve box) the chamber of the valve at the back of
the slide is provided with a hinged lid or door of approximately the same size as
the case of the valve, this lid is likewise provided with a smaller hinged lid or
door immediately in its centre, both doors being fitted with a convenient form of
screw cramp, latch or other suitable hand fastening, the smaller lid may be fitted
with glass, talk, or other suitable material to act as a sight hole, the small orifice
in the main lid or door is made sufficiently large in diameter to allow of the
insertion of a stopper or bot rod, pricker, or other similar tool or appliance, the
action of the box and appliances being as follows.
To stop or close the tuyeres both doors are opened, and the blast pressure being
on, the slide valve is previously shut to prevent the escape of the blast in the
direction of the operator, the end of the bot rod furthest from the bot or stopper
end, and which is parallel, is then inserted through the smaller orifice in which it
has sufficient play to allow of its being freely moved, the rod is then drawn
through the orifice until the bot end can be turned into the valve box, and the
main door closed and made fast, the slide valve is then opened, when the bot rod
can be slided forward in a direct line to the tuyere, the bot or stopper having been
placed in the orifice from the back, and the orifice being conical in form with its
largest diameter to the rear, the pressure of blast at the back of the tuyeres would
have the effect of keeping the bot or stopper tight in its place, the stopper or bot
rod may then be drawn back into the valve box, the slide valve closed, the large
lid opened, the rod entirely withdrawn, and both doors reclosed. When the
tuyeres have to be opened the same process of inserting and introducing the rod
would be followed, but in this instance it would be a pricker, or other suitable
tool by which the bot or stopper could be removed, the particles of which when
loosened being blown by the blast into the furnace.
As a modification of the last described appliances for stopping and unstopping
the tuyeres, the tuyeres may be so constructed at the inner ends and sides of their
nozzle orifices as to admit of their being closed and opened by prepared stoppers
somewhat similar to the stoppers and nozzles used in Bessemer and Siemens ladles,
such stoppers being attached to rods which would be passed through the valve box
and the outer lid, similar to the method already described for the loose stopper and
pricker rods; only in this modified arrangement, the stopper rods could be made
shorter and be actuated by levers or other equivalent contrivances.
This modified arrangement could be used in conjunction with the arrangement
previously describ.d, that is to say the former arrangement can always be fallen
back upon in case of accident.
The nature of my invention will be better understood on reference to the
accompanying two sheets of drawings in which
Fig. 1 Sheet 1 is a longitudinal elevation half in section looking at the charging
side of the furnace.
Fig. 2 Sheet 1 being a plan of the same half in section on the line A. B.
Fig. 2 Sheet 2 is a vertical cross section through the furnace (on the line C D
Fig. 1 Sheet 1) but showing the furnace in its canted position, the dotted lines at
the upper part of this figure shew a modification in the form of the furnace roof.
Fig. 1 Sheet 2 is a vertical section through a fixed furnace, shewing the
application of the improved valve, tuyere box and tuyere.
Fig. 5 Sheet 2 is a section of the improved valve and tuyere box.
Fig. 6 Sheet 2 being an external elevation of the same.
Fig 3 Sheet 2 as an instrument called a bot rod by the use of which the tuyeres
may be stopped.

page_text: 3. An improved arrangement and construction of regenerative air and gas
chambers applicable to the last described specially constructed furnace, or to other
types of Siemens fixed furnaces, by which the said regenerative chambers may be
disconnected, removed, renewed, or replaced, without interfering with the furnace
proper, and by which arrangement and construction the air and the gas
compartments in such regenerative chambers are embodied in one circular or
elliptical case, each compartment being separated by a partition so that a free
passage of atmospheric air is admitted between the two chambers which are
thereby kept separate and distinct.
4. The specially constructed blast tuyere valve as herein before described and
illustrated, applicable to the fixed class of Siemens furnace.
5. Improvements in furnaces apparatus and appliances connected therewith for
melting and treating ores, metals and the like substances by the combination of
arrangements and appliances by which an atmospheric blast may be applied to and
used with a specially constructed form of open hearth furnace, so arranged that it
may be inclined, tilted, or oscillated as required, and adapted to and worked
in conjunction with an improved arrangement and construction of moveable
regenerative air and gas chambers, substantially as herein described, set forth and
illustrated in Figa, 1 & 2 of the accompanying two sheets of drawings respectively.
Dated this 20th day of Jul, 1886