IMPROVEMENTS IN THE MANUFACTURE OF STEEL AND IN THE APPARATUS EMPLOYED THEREFOR, PARTS OF WHICH IMPROVEMENTS AND APPARATUS ARE ALSO APPLICABLE TO THE PRODUCTION OF GAS FOR HEATING PURPOSES
Year: 1866

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Aristide Balthazard Bérard, Civil Engineer, Knight
of the Legion of Пonour, of No. 51, Avenue Montaigne, Paris, France,
for the Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN THE MANUFACTURE OF STEEL AND
IN THE APPARATUS EMPLOYED THEREFOR, PARTS OF WHICH IMPROVEMENTS
AND APPARATUS ARE ALSO APPLICABLE TO THE PRODUCTION OF GAS FOR HEATING
PURPOSES."
Sealed the 15th March 1867, and dated the 20th September 1866.
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION filed by the said Aristide Balthazard Bérard
at the Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition and
Declaration, on the 20th September 1866, pursuant to the 9th Section
of the Patent Law Amendment Act, 1852.
TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, I, ARISTIDE
BALTHAZARD BÉRARD, Civil Engineer, Knight of the Legion of Honour, of
No. 51, Avenue Montaigne, Paris, France, send greeting.
WHEREAS I am in possession of an Invention for "IMPROVEMENTS IN THE
MANUFACTURE OF STEEL AND IN THE APPARATUS EMPLOYED THEREFOR, PARTS OF
WHICH IMPROVEMENTS AND APPARATUS ARE ALSO APPLICABLE TO THE PRODUCTION
OF GAS FOR HEATING PURPOSES," 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 Declaration that I verily believe myself to
be the first and true Inventor thereof.
NOW KNOW YE, that I, the said Aristide Balthazard Bérard, do hereby
declare that the following Complete Specification under my hand and seal fully

page_text: describes and ascertains the nature of my said Invention, and the manner in
which the same is to be performed, reference being had to the Drawings
hereto annexed, and forming part of this Specification, and to the figures and
letters marked thereon:-
My Invention consists in an improved process and in improved apparatus
for the manufacture of steel from cast iron, parts of which apparatus are also
applicable to producing gas for heating purposes.
The object I propose is, firstly, the purification of cast iron by eliminating
from it as completely as possible the foreign bodies it contains which injure
the quality of its products, with the least possible waste; and, secondly, the
decarburation of the cast iron by a suitable process for its conversion into
steel.
The improved process is founded on the employment of gases as the agents
for the production of heat, and as reagents on the liquid cast iron. The
principle on which the reactions take place is by effecting a series of succes-
sive oxydations and reductions; the chief agents employed are air, water, steam,
and reducing gases (such as bydrogen, carbonated hydrogen, and oxyde of
carbon), and by putting carbon in contact with the metal by way of
cementation.
To make my Invention better understood, I have divided the description
into three parts as follows, videlicet,-
Firstly, the arrangement of apparatus for the production, extraction, and
washing of gases.
Secondly, the means and apparatus employed for the treatment of cast iron.
Thirdly, the mode of conducting the operation.
And in order to make the description of my Invention more easily under-
stood I will refer to the accompanying Drawings, in which Figure 1, Sheet 1,
is a vertical section, and Figure 4, Sheet 1, a horizontal section of the gas
generator. Figure 2, Sheet 1, section, and Figure 5, Sheet 1, plan of the
washing and purifying apparatus; Figure 3, Sheet 1, longitudinal section,
and Figures 6 and 7, Sheet 1, end views of the aspirator; Figure 8, Sheet 1,
sectional elevation of the extractor; Figure 1, Sheet 2, longitudinal section;
Figure 2, Sheet 2, transverse section, and Figure 4, Sheet 2, plan of the
-improved gas heated reverberatory furnace; Figure 3, Sheet 2, transverse
section of chimney shewing valve; Figure 5, Sheet 2, section of the bells for
heating the air and gases.
First Part. The Arrangement of the Apparatus for the Production, Extrac-
tion, and Washing of the Gases. I can produce the gases I employ by means
of apparatus now in use, I however prefer obtaining them by means

page_text: of the apparatus herein-after described. The apparatus which I employ for
the production of the gas, and which is properly called a gas generator.
consists of a kind of blast furnace closed at all points, Figures 1 and 4,
Sheet 1. The external case or envelope of this furnace is made of either
sheet or cast iron, the inner lining is made of refractory brick. The
upper opening is provided with a tube A, in which the charge is placed;
two clack valves a, a', close the lower part of the tube when the charge
is introduced; at the upper part is a bydraulic closing, the lid of which
is closed after the introduction of the charge, which is afterwards made
to fall into the furnace on opening the valves. If the pressure on the
gas generator is to be rather high the hydraulic closing may be modified
by substituting for the cover turning on hinges a bell rising vertically by
means of a special mechanical arrangement. To expedite the charging a
vessel containing all the charge is employed, which charge is rapidly intro-
duced into the apparatus either on opening a gate or valve or by a rocking
lever movement. The fuel fed into the gas generator lies at the lower part
on a grate which may be fixed or moveable. In the first case the bars may be
made of hollow tubes, through which the air for feeding the generator is intro-
duced; holes perforated in the upper part of the tubes distribute the air over
the whole surface of the generator. In case of a moveable grate being employed,
Figures 1 and 4, Sheet 1, the bars are solid, and the air is admitted underneath
in a closed space B, with a pressure corresponding to that desired to be
obtained for the gases on their leaving the generator, and corresponding with
the pressure applied on the hydraulic closing. The air distributed in the
space B passes between the bars of the grate C, C, to support combustion ;
its oxygen is first converted into carbonic acid, producing by combustion a
bigh temperature, then into oxide of carbon by passing through the upper
beds of fuel, where a part of the disengaged caloric is absorbed by its conver-
sion into reducing or combustible gases. The gas thus produced is liberated
at the upper part of the furnace, passing through the pipe D, D. The charge
emains a little under this pipe, and is regulated by a probe or tester E, by
which its level is ascertained. Coal is the fuel generally employed, and by
preference that kind known as smith's coal; when it is very rich it should be
mixed with a rather poor coal or coke to prevent its forming vaults in the
generator by sticking together. Wood may also be employed, but in this case
t should be previously dried; turf may also be employed. When it is
ound that the coal contains sulphur, coke or charcoal only may be employed,
is then necessary to force to the maximum the employment of overheated
team as herein-after described to increase the proportion of hydrogen. When

page_text: coal is employed it is distilled in the upper part of the generator; it is then
converted into coke, and it reaches in that state the lower part of the furnace.
The gases produced are then especially a mixture of carbonated hydrogen
(gas for lighting) with a variable proportion of oxyde of carbon and nitrogen;
as it is desirable to reduce the proportion of the latter gas I mix by means
of compressed air used for supplying the generator a certain quantity of super-
heated steam, the decomposition on the incandescent fuel of which produces
oxyde of carbon and bydrogen, the latter gas possesses as is well known a
great heating power, and is obtained by the decomposition of steam without
any mixture of nitrogen.
The following arrangement appears to me to be preferable:-The steam
superheated in the generator by its circulation in the tubes F, F, F, F, sunk
in the masonry, is brought back through the tuyere pipes f.f.f.f, passed
through blast pipes of china ware or other material at a certain height above
the grate C, C, towards the part where the fuel has acquired by the in-
sufflation of air its maximum of temperature, the steam is thus decomposed
under the best condition; by that means a larger proportion of bydrogen is
obtained, and that in a continuous manner by regulating the quantity of steam,
so as not too much to diminish the temperature in the medium where it is
projected, which would affect its decomposition. All the fuel is thus converted
into gas without any other fire-place than the generator, and under very
economical conditions. After a certain time of working the beds of fuel by
accumulating in the lower part of the furnace produce slags, which at last
impede the proper progress of the operation; it is best to extract them by
suspending the production during as short a time as possible; but to expel
this refuse it is necessary to prevent the upper charges of fuel descending at
the same time, which would inevitably take place during its removal. To
prevent this effect I form at a certain height above the grate at the part where
the refuse to be removed ceases a temporary grate, by introducing pokers or
iron bars slightly pointed through the openings G, G, G, G, made on the cir
cumference of the generator; these openings are hermetically closed during
the working, and are only opened when the slags are removed, when the wind
and steam are stopped. Then by the action of a screw jack or other similar
mechanical arrangement I lower the moveable bottom H, H, of the furnace
to which the grate is fixed, which by these means is removed, taking with it
the slags to be discharged. The parts attached to the sides are rapidly
detached, the grate cleaned, then put back in its place after the groove i, i
in the bottom has been lined with clay. In the ascending movement of the
moveable bottom, carrying with it its grate, the projecting frame k, k, of the

page_text: circumference enters the groove i,
presses the clay, and thus formis an air-
tight joint. In case of a fixed grate being employed the cleaning can be
effected by a door placed in front of the generator at the same height as the
grate, and luted during the working, and which is opened during the cleaning;
but in this as in the other case it is well to keep the temporary arrangement
of grate at a certain height to prevent the descent of the charges. Observing
orifices L serve to ascertain the temperature in the generator. The gases at
their egress from the generator may be employed direct, and it is then
necessary to keep them at the same temperature; or they are directed into a
gasometer serving as a receiver or a distributing regulator; in the latter case
it may be useful to give them a higher pressure to that in the generator, it
may also be necessary for certain uses to purify them with care. In the first
case it will be often necessary to have a peculiar mode of closing or regu-
lation of the consumption of gases; when they are at a high temperature the
tap or valve closing answer badly the purpose, the best way, on account of
the dilatation of the bodies, is the employment of metal conical valves, repre-
sented by Figures 1 and 4; the regulation is effected from the outside. When
several generators are combined to produce the gas it is well, if necessary,
to render them independent of one another; for this purpose the gases are
conducted into one common sheet or cast-iron box, and each pipe of admission
is provided with a conical valve. To answer special requirements for
additional pressure and for washing I employ the following arrangements:—
The gas on its leaving the generator is drawn in by an extractor, and con-
ducted into a washing box; this extractor may be in the ordinary conditions,
but good results are obtained with greater simplicity by a jet of steam
disposed as represented by Figure 8, Sheet 1. A jet arriving from the
pipe a is placed at the centre; the consumption of steam is regulated by a
stop-cock a', a'. The sucking action which ensues draws in a current of water
from the pipe b, passing through the annular space b, b¹, regulated by the fly
wheel c; at the same time the gases are drawn in from the pipe d, d, through
the concentric annular space e, e, the opening of which is regulated by means
of the fly wheel f; the water drawn in from the pipe 6 serves for feeding the
washer. I can by a return of water cause the same water to serve during
rather a long time. The gas is forced back by the pipe g. In case it should not
be thought suitable to draw in water at the same time as gases I can use the
aspirator represented in Figures 3, 6, and 7, Sheet 1. The steam arriving
through the pipe A spreads over the capacity A¹, whence it is projected by a
series of jets contained in the closed space A" towards the conical openings
b, b, b, b, carrying along with it in its movements the gases which fill the

page_text: capacity A, in which they arrive through the pipe C. The quantity of steam
consumed is regulated at each jet by a stop-cock; the series of stop-cocks is
worked by the crank arm D. The distance of each jet from the corresponding
conical opening b, b, b, is regulated by the advance or retrograde movement
given to the steam-box A¹ by means of the fly wheel E, by the supplementary
pressure communicated to the gases by the aspirating apparatus it is easy to
effect their washing by causing them to overcome the resistance of the
column of water they have to pass through.
The gas washing or purifying apparatus consists of a sheet or cast-iron or
wooden box represented at Figures 2 and 5, Sheet 1. The bottom of this
box is inclined to enable the deposits to collect more easily near the cleaning
door B. A partition C, C, isolates the space A in which the gases from the
space D arrive, which space D is in free communication with the air; by this
way fresh wash water may be admitted, as also the reagents for the absorp-
tion of the sulphurous or other gases; this arrangement also prevents the
dangers that might result from too strong a pressure in the box A. A water
level regulates the height of this liquid in the washer. The gas forced back
in the washer by the aspirator injector passes through a large watering
rose E perforated with a large number of holes; it is thus divided into a
multitude of jets, which by increasing the points of contact facilitates the
purification. The water of the washer may contain lime in solution, or salts
of iron having the property of absorbing sulphurous acid and sulphuretted
hydrogen. A bed of dry sesquioxyde of iron may also be employed, which is
made to pass through the water by means of the current of gas. The gas
after being washed occupies the upper part of the box A, and proceeds
through the pipe F either to the gasometer or to the place where it is to be
used.
Second Part. Means and Apparatus employed for the Treatment of the Cast
Iron. The converting furnace, which is at option at the same time the fusing
furnace, is constructed of two sole plates A and B, Figures 1, 2, and 4,
Sheet 2, which can easily be removed from the body of the furnace; these
sole plates are furnished with wheels, and rest on the plates t, t, which can be
raised or lowered at will by means of a screw jack, as shewn in the Drawing,
or by any other suitable mechanical arrangement. The circumference of
each sole plate is furnished with a kind of groove in the form of a gutter b, b',
corresponding to a projecting part c, c, fixed to the bottom plate of the
furnace. The gutter 6, 61, is filled with kneaded clay, so that when the sole
plate is raised to make it join against the furnace the projecting edge c, c¹, in
entering the hollow part b, b', compresses and forces back the clay lining, and

page_text: thus forms an air-tight joint. Openings at D, D¹, are made in each moveable
sole plate for running off the metal, or at E, E¹, for the evacuation of the
scoriæ produced during the working. The sole plates are furnished internally
with a coating of refractory brick, and which is covered with earth heaped up
high, or brasque with a coally base. Rails are placed below for facilitating
the withdrawal of the sole plates and their transport to a distance; their
mobility has principally for object to facilitate repairs, which without this
would be very difficult to execute on the spot; they are put to work only after
having been placed in a stove. The interval between the two sole plates is
formed of two inclined planes F, F, F, F', and of a reducing fire-bridge G.
The charge of cast iron in pieces is placed on these inclined planes F, F, F', F',
it is heated, dissolves, and the liquid cast iron runs as fast as its liquifaction
takes place on the inclined bottom, and falls on the hollow sole plates A and B,
the bottoms of which are previously highly heated; the cast iron can also be
brought to the liquid state and poured in the hollow sole plates. The vault
above the sole plates must also be as flat as possible; it springs from the
bottom plates immediately above the upper edge of the sole plates; this is
essential. The fire-bridge G is constructed with two rows of refractory bricks
so disposed as to leave spaces in the form of vent holes for the passage of the
flames. The open space between these two rows of bricks is filled with coke
as pure as possible, or charcoal, which is introduced through the upper
opening. A lid with a hydraulic joint closes hermetically this opening for
charging so as to prevent the introduction of any free air. Cleaning doors are
made in the lower part; they are closed air-tight during the working.
Oxydizing gases in passing through the fuel in the arch become reducers, still
retaining an elevated temperature in the furnace. The gas for heating the
furnace arriving from the generators passes into a box H provided with two
conical valves connected together by a balance lever, so that when one of them
is raised to give passage to the gas the other is forced to close. In this way
I avoid any mistake being committed by the workman in reversing the
currents, and the change is more rapidly effected. These valves are put in
motion from outside.
The employment of conical metallic valves for closing purposes applied to
gases at a high temperature or to hot air is of a really practical importance.
By this arrangement the gas is conducted into the furnace alternately by the
conduct pipe I, I, or by the conduct pipe I, I. In either case the gas is
distributed in a series of annular blast pipes i, i, i, the number of which may
be varied at will; from these blast pipes it spreads on the furnace through the
brick pipes K, K, K, K, K, the inclined extremity of which directs the plunging

page_text: current towards the bottom of the sole plate, so as to highly heat it. The
air for the combustion of the gases for heating the furnace should arrive in
the blast pipes at as high a temperature as possible, and under a certain
pressure. It may be heated in the flues by the waste heat from the furnace
by means of the following arrangements or by analogous arrangements, which
would not in any way change the principle, but the special application of the
arrangement herein-after described is new and applicable to all cases of heating
the air or gas. The compressed air arriving from the blowing apparatus
passes in a succession of cast-iron boxes placed on the ground of the flues. To
pass from one box into another the air is admitted into the first box at L, and
circulates in cast-iron bells or vertical pipes M, M, divided in the middle in a
longitudinal direction by a partition. This joint of the bells with the boxes is
made of clay or refractory earth, and the weight of the bell alone secures a
good closing; it may be easily changed, see Figures 4 and 5, Sheet 2; these
bells are lined externally with a coat or composition of refractory earth, which
protects them from the rapid strokes of the fire, and forms at the same time a
heat receiver. These bells plunged in the current of gases circulating in the flues
are carried to a high temperature, which is communicated to the compressed air
passing in the interior. By multiplying the number of bells I increase the
hent transmitted to the air by the development of the beating surface. The
same arrangement is made in the two flues; communication is effected by a
pipe sunk in the masonry work and passing under the chimney. A similar
arrangement serves for heating the gases to be injected into the cast iron, as
herein-after referred to in Sheet 2 of the accompanying Drawing.
The hot air passing out of the pipe N passes into the valve box O, Figure 1,
Sheet 2, which regulates its distribution through the pipes P, P1, at the two
extremities of the furnace. It is in this way conducted to each of the series
composed as in the above stated case of five annular blast pipes. It arrives in
each blast pipe through the central part, a stopper worked by an external
crank arm regulates the rate of the flow of the fluid. The combustion or the
combination of the air and the gases commences at a short distance from the
blast pipes, it continues in the vent holes K, K, and attains its maximum
intensity or development of temperature on the sole plate. The furnace being
provided at each of its extremites with a similar series of blast pipes they are
made to act alternately by opening and closing the valves corresponding with
the air and gas, and in giving access in the required direction to the products
of combustion towards the chimney Q, Figure 3, Sheet 2, situated at the
extremity of the flues passing by the brick flues p, p, or p³, p³, Figures 1 and 4,
Sheet 2. This last operation is effected by means of a butterfly valve R,

page_text: situated under the chimney at the point of junction with the flues, according
to the position occupied by the valve it intercepts or gives access to the products
of combustion of the gases from the flues into the chimney. An external
lever S, fixed on the axis of the butterfly valve allows of the latter being
opened or closed. The chimney may be a vertical tubular steam generator
in which the last part of the heat disengaged by the combustion of the gases
is utilized for the production of water steam required for the motive engines
for the compression of air, and of the injecting gases as well as for any other
use. Instead of a vertical boiler I can' employ another arrangement answering
the same purpose of utilizing the heat of the gases; but the gases circu-
lating in the flues are necessarily reducers, and consequently combustible after
passing through the bed of coal placed on the fire-bridge G. All the heat
they can develope having to be utilized in the flues and in the chimney it is
necessary to bring into the flue in which the gases circulate the quantity of
air sufficient for their combustion. For this purpose two pipes T, T', opening
in the flues unite in a point U, where a distributing valve is set for the
admission of free air into the flues. When one side is open, the other is closed.
This valve is mounted on the axis which forms the prolonged axis of the
butterfly valve placed under the chimney; these two valves therefore are
worked by the same movement of the motive lever, so that the air only enters
the flue when the gas circulates ready to be burned, while the other side is
necessarily closed to the access of air and gasses. Doors are made for the
working of the furnace as well for feeding in the cast iron as for working it
on the sole plates, they generally remain closed during the operation or are only
opened for taking samples; they should be closed air-tight. This requirement
is met by an arrangement of grooves lined with clay analogous to those employed
for the joint of the sole plates. Other inclined openings V, V, V, V¹¹¹, serve
for the introduction of the air and gas plunging blast pipes which act on or
in the bath of cast iron; these flat blast pipes consist of a sheet iron envelope
covered with a compost of refractory earth mixed with graphite; they are on one
side united to the pipe for the introduction of the air or gas by an articulated
joint. The extremity to be inserted in the furnace or plunged in the liquid
bath is furnished with iron tubes, the diameter and number of which are in
proportion to the volume of air or gas to be supplied, and the volume is in
proportion to the quantity of material to be treated. I suppose that 7 tubes are
here employed to form one air blast tube and 5 for a gas blast pipe; these tubes
are also covered with a coat of refractory aluminous earth, mixed in a certain
proportion with graphite. The division of the fluid into several currents
multiplies the points of contact, and facilitates the agitation of the substance.

page_text: These blast pipes are worked by means of a mechanical arrangement which
enables them to go up or down with facility along an inclined plane situated
in the prolongation of the box for the introduction; as soon as they egress
from the box a door in the form of a register ✗ serves to close the opening
of the box. Two of the blast pipes entering the openings V, VI, corresponding
to the two sole plates are in communication with the ordinary compressed air
or with compressed hot air and superheated steam, the two other blast pipes
corresponding with the openings V, V", are in connection with the super-
heated and purified reducing gas herein-after referred to.
Third Part. Mode of Operating.-The apparatus herein just before referred
to being thus arranged, the operation is carried on in the following manner :-
The furnace is previously heated by means of combustible gases and hot air
arriving in the series of annular blast pipes previously described. I cause the
current to pass alternately from the sole plate A towards the sole plate B, or
reciprocally; for that purpose it is merely necessary to incline on one side or
other the butterfly valve R of the chimney, and to open or close the valves
corresponding to the air or gas. When the furnace has reached the required
temperature I effect the charge of the cast iron on the inclined planes F, F¹.
Very soon afterwards the metal enters into fusion and runs into the hollow
sole plates which are highly heated; care has to be taken first to carefully
cover them with a bed of rich and pure scoriæ or with iron of good quality,
especially manganesiferous, which soon becomes vitrified and protects the
brasque against combustion; this vitrified material forms the first bed which
covers the bath. When the whole is molten I proceed to the properly called
purifying and decarburating operation; for this purpose, after directing the
current of the heating gases of the furnaces from the sole plate A towards the
sole plate B, for instance, I introduce through the corresponding box V
the plunging blast pipe in the sole plate A by causing hot air and steam, or
ordinary air alone, to act either on the surface of the bath or in the interior.
In the last case the pressure should be higher than that necessary for over-
coming the resistance of the column of liquid cast iron. The pressure is given
before the immersion of the extremity of the blast pipe. This current in
passing through the bath of cast iron or in acting on the surface produces a
considerable bubbling, which facilitates the reaction of the fluids on the liquid
metal; this action is oxydizing and acts on all the bodies composing the
complex alloy of the cast iron, at the same time producing a great elevation
of temperature; oxydes are formed, some of which are fixed and others
volatile, the latter escape through the chimney. The atmosphere of the sole
plate A will also be oxydizing, and the drops of cast iron projected will pass

page_text: through it and fall back into the bath after being subjected to the action of the
medium passed through; but the oxydizing gases of the sole plate A before
arriving at the sole plate B will have to pass through the bed of incandescent
fuel placed on the separating fire-bridge G; the free oxygen will be absorbed,
so that the gases will be reducers on their arrival on the sole plate B. I thus
obtain oxyde of carbon and more or less carbonated hydrogen. The action on
the sole plate B will therefore be reductive while it is oxydizing on the sole
plate A; this conversion would produce a lowering of the temperature on the
reducing sole plate if the gases were not already at a high temperature
resulting from the period of oxydation; there is thus a reaction of temperature
from the oxydizing sole plate on to that of reduction, which continually keeps up
on both a high temperature which is an essential condition. To increase the
reductive power I project at the same time on or in the metallic bath by
means of a plunging blast pipe, similar to that above described for the air,
and which is introduced through the nearest box V", a current of reducing
gas under a sufficient pressure, and at a rather high temperature, oxyde of
carbon, or more or less carbonated hydrogen previously purified with care if
mineral fuel, or fuel proceeding from the working of the gas generator with
charcoal be employed. After these reactions have taken place during a certain
time the current is reversed by a movement of the valve R, intercepting or
leaving open communication with the chimney, and by the change in the
admission of air and of heating gases into the furnace. I afterwards with-
draw from the box V the air blast pipe, and I introduce through the opening V¹
the gas blast pipe; I do the reverse on the opposite side by withdrawing from
the box V" the gas blast pipe, and introducing the air blast pipe at V™. I
operate in a similar manner with the oxydizing current towards the sole
plate B, and I react by reduction on the sole plate A. The carbon of the cast
iron which is burnt under the action of the oxydizing current is restored in a
certain proportion by means of the carbonaceous brasque of the sole plate by
way of cementation, by contact, and also by oxyde of carbon producing the
bubbling; I can also at the same time project charcoal powder. If the carbon
were not restored in a certain proportion to the cast iron the latter would pass
too rapidly into the state of steel or iron before time would admit of expelling
injurious foreign matters if they are in too large a quantity. The reduction
as well as the oxidation facilitates the elimination of the metalloids in com-
bination, for bydrogen forms equally with sulphur and phosphorous gaseous
compounds, which escape by volatilization; but phosphorous is specially
absorbed by the scoriæ in its intimate contact with the metal to which it
passes in a state of phosphate of iron. The iron oxyde in a nascent state is

page_text: promptly brought back to the metallic state under the action of the oxyde of
carbon and hydrogen, and re-enters into solution in the bath by which the
waste is lessened. The action of the hydrogen tends also to neutralize the
hurtful effects of the cementation of the oxygen in the iron, which is rapid at
a high temperature, producing what is termed burnt iron, which is a product
of which it is well to avoid the formation. By this series of oxydations and
reductions, repeated as long as required by the degree of impurity of the cast
iron to be treated, I succeed in purifying cast iron the most contaminated with
hurtful bodies.
The last stage of the operation is more specially devoted to decarburation
by specially causing the oxydizing current to act. The cast iron being brought
to the required degree of purity and decarburation, which is ascertained by
taking samples frequently towards the end of the operation, I run off the
scoriæ and proceed to run off the metal by opening the hole in the moveable
sole plates; the molten steel then runs into the moulds suitably disposed.
To obtain certain qualities of steel I can in the last stage of the operation
introduce scrap iron previously heated on the inclined planes F, F, and which
are made to fall into the bath of cast iron, this bath of cast iron having
reached a state the nearest to steel, in which state it will not take long to be
melted. When the sole plate requires repairs and the "brasque" more par-
ticularly requires to be manipulated, I lower this sole plate by means of a
screw jack, and I substitute another sole plate in good condition for it.
"
Having now described the nature of my Invention, and in what manner
the same is to be performed, I wish it to be understood that I claim, as the
Invention whereof the exclusive use is intended to be secured by Letters
Patent is,
First, the improved process of producing gases, and the employment of a
closed furnace with a forced current of air, as herein-before described and
represented in Figures 1 and 4, Sheet 1, of the accompanying Drawings.
Secondly, the employment of a temporary grate to prevent the falling
of the charge, as herein-before described and represented in Figures 1 and 4,
Sheet 1, of the accompanying Drawings.
Thirdly, the moveable bottom and grate of the furnace, and the mode of
obtaining an air-tight closing, as herein-before described and represented in
Figures 1 and 4, Sheet 1, of the Drawings.
Fourthly, the means above described for superheating and injecting
steam.
Fifthly, the means and apparatus for effecting the washing, the aspiration
or drawing in, and the repelling of the gases, and the improved method of

page_text: introducing and beating the gases and changing the direction of their course,
as herein-before described and represented in Figures 2, 3, 5, 6, 7, and 8,
Sheet 1, of the annexed Drawings.
Sixthly, the arrangement of the reverberatory gas-heated furnace with
double moveable sole plates, as herein-before described and represented in
Figures 1, 2, and 4, Sheet 2, of the accompanying Drawings.
Seventhly, the interposition of a bed of fuel in the current of gases for con-
verting the oxidizing agents into reducing agents, as herein-before described.
Eighthly, the application of the gases, of the steam, and of the air to the
interior of the bath of metal, as herein-before described.
Ninthly, the causing the reaction of the heat of the oxydizing sole plate for
heating the reducing sole plate, as herein-before described.
Tenthly, the action by way of successive oxidation and reduction for the
purification of the cast iron, and for its reduction into steel, as herein-before
described.
In witness whereof, I, the said Aristido Balthazard Bérard, have hereto
set my hand and seal, this Eighteenth day of September, in the year
of our Lord One thousand eight hundred and sixty-six.
A. B. BERARD. (L.S.)
51, Avenue Montaigne,
Paris.