IMPROVEMENTS IN OVENS OR DETACHED KILNS FOR BURNING BRICKS POTTERYWARE OR LIME OR FOR OTHER LIKE PURPOSES
Year: 1884

page_text: I HENRY KNOWLES of Albion Works Woodville in the County of Leicester
Fire Brick and Sanitary Pipe Manufacturer do hereby declare the nature of
said Invention for "IMPROVEMENTS IN OVENS OR DETACHED KILNS FOR BURNING
BRICKS POTTERYWARE OR LIME OR FOR OTHER LIKE PURPOSES " to be as follows:-
My Invention relates to improvements in the construction of Detached down
draught ovens or kilns by which the waste heat issuing. from one oven or kiln is
conveyed to another and thereby utilized in drying and burning bricks, tiles, pipes,
terra Cotta, pottery lime or other articles and substances for which such ovens or
kilns are applicable. It has for its object to secure greater economy in fuel and
labour and more complete consumption of smoke, than is possible in working the
ovens or kilns separately and to effect this in the most direct and simple manner so
that the continuous system of burning may be applied with advantage in working
detached ovens or kilns without interfering with their efficiency when circumstances
make it desirable or necessary to work them separately.
According to my Invention I construct two or more detached ovens or kilns
round, square or otherwise each having all the ordinary parts which are common
to such ovens or kilns for working with a down draught the construction depending
on the class of goods to be burnt From the centre or central flue of each oven or
kiln from which the heat is taken, I construct an outlet flue direct to the next oven
or kiln and at the entrance to this receiving oven or kiln I divide the last named
flue into two branch terminal flues one leading to the right and the other to the
left. In round ovens or kilns each of the branch flues is continued round the
inside of the oven or kiln near to the wall and to a point where it terminates near
to the line or side walls of the outlet flue of the oven or kiln, and out of the branch
flues in round ovens or kilns I make openings or outlets between each firehole for
the passage of the heat and products of combustion into the oven or kiln and I
vary the size of the said openings, making those nearest the junction or entrance
to the oven or kiln the smallest and gradually increase their size to the end of the
flues making those at the end the largest so that the heat absorbed or lost in
passing along the flues is compensated for by the provision of larger outlets as they

page_text: approach the end of the flues for the passage of greater volume by which the heat
of the oven or kiln is uniformly maintained. In rectangular ovens or kilns I make
the branch flues direct to the "dead" ends of the oven or kiln where there are no
fireholes, and there make the outlets so that the heat and products of combustion
issuing from the end of each of these branch flues pass through the goods from
both ends of the oven or kiln and meet in the centre where they enter the outlet
flue of the oven or kiln and are conducted either into the next oven or kiln or to
the chimney.
Out of each connecting flue I construct a branch flue to the main flue leading to
the chimney Both the connecting and branch flues of each oven or kiln are
provided with a damper common to both or separate dampers if preferred for
regulating the heat as it passes from oven or kiln to oven or kiln or to cut it off*
when necessary.
By this improved combination of flues and dampers arranged as described and
made to operate in working detached ovens or kilns I am enabled to utilize more
effectually than hitherto the waste or surplus heat issuing from an oven or kiln, by
conducting it into the next one thereby securing great economy in fuel and labour
and the consumption of smoke whilst maintaining the full efficiency of the ovens
or kilns in burning the best quality of goods, when worked either separately or in
connection with each other.
and 1
1004
J. HENRY JOHNSON,
47, Lincolns Inn Fields, London, W.C.,
Agent for the said Henry Knowles.

page_text: I, HENRY KNOWLES of Albion Works Woodville in the County of Leicester
Fire Brick and Sanitary Pipe Manufacturer do hereby declare the nature of said
invention for "IMPROVEMENTS IN OVENS OR DETACHED KILNS FOR BURNING
BRICKS POTTERYWARE OR LIME OR FOR OTHER LIKE PURPOSES," and in what
manner the same is to be performed, to be particularly described and ascertained
in and by the following statement:—
My Invention relates to improvements in the construction of ovens or detached
kilns by which the waste heat issuing from one oven or kiln is conveyed to another
and thereby utilized in drying and burning bricks, tiles pipes, terra cotta, pottery
lime or other articles and substances for which such ovens or kilns are applicable.
It has for its object to secure greater economy in fuel and labour and more complete
consumption of smoke than is possible in working the ovens or kilns separately
and to effect this in the most direct and simple manner so that the continuous
system of burning may be applied with advantage in working detached down
draught ovens or kilns without interfering with their efficiency when circumstances
make it desirable or necessary to work them separately.
According to my Invention I construct two or more detached ovens or kilns,
round, square, or of other suitable shape each having all the ordinary parts which are
common to such ovens or kilns for working with a down draught the construction
of the said parts depending on the class of goods to be burnt. From the centre or
central flue of each oven or kiln I construct an outlet flue direct to the next oven
or kiln and at the entrance to this last named oven or kiln I divide the said outlet
or connecting flue into two branch terminal flues one leading to the right and the
other to the left. In round ovens or kilns each of the branch flues is continued
round the oven or kiln either under the walls or inside the oven or kiln near to the
wall and to a point near to the line or side walls of the outlet flue of the oven or
kiln where it terminates and out of the branch flues in round ovens or kilns I
make openings or outlets between each fire hole for the passage of the heat and
products of combustion from the said branch flues into the oven or kiln and I vary
the size of the said openings making those nearest the junction or entrance to the
oven or kiln the smallest gradually increasing the size of the said openings to the
end of the flues making those at the end the largest so that the heat absorbed or
lost in passing along the flues is compensated for by provision of larger outlets as
they approach the end of the flues for the passage of greater volume by which the
heat of the oven or kiln is uniformly maintained throughout its interior.
rectangular ovens or kilns I make the branch flues lead directly to flues in the
"dead" ends of the oven or kiln where there are no freholes and there make at
each of the said dead ends one or more outlets opening into the oven or kiln so that
the heat and products of combustion issuing from the end of each of these flues pass
through the goods from both ends of the oven or kiln and meet in the centre
where they enter the outlet flue of the oven or kiln and are conducted either into
the next oven or kiln or to the chimney.
In
Out of each connecting flue I construct a branch flue communicating with the
main flue leading to the chimney. Both the connecting and branch flues of each
oven or kiln are provided with a damper common to both (or separate dampers
may be employed if preferred) for regulating the heat as it passes from one oven or
kiln to another oven or kiln or to cut it off when necessary.
By this improved combination of flues and dampers arranged as described and
made to operate in working detached ovens or kilns I am enabled to utilize more

page_text: effectually than hitherto the waste or surplus heat issuing from a detached oven or
kiln by conducting it into the next or adjacent one thereby securing great economy
in fuel and labour and the consumption of smoke whilst maintaining the full
efficiency of the ovens or kilns in burning the best quality of goods when worked
either separately or in connection with each other.
And in order that my said Invention may be fully understood I shall now proceed
more particularly to describe the same and for that purpose shall refer to the several
figures on the annexed drawings the same letters of reference indicating corre-
sponding parts in all the figures.
Figure 1 represents in elevation four round ovens or kilns shewing the application
of my Invention thereto.
Figure 2 represents vertical sections of the same through the line X, X, in
Figure 3.
Figure 3 represents horizontal sections of the same through the line Y, Y, in
Figure 2.
Figure 4 is a vertical transverse section and
Figure 5 is a horizontal section showing the application of the Invention to
rectangular ovens or kilns.
Referring to the kilns shewn in Figures 1, 2 and 3 A, A, are the outer walls
B, B, are the arches or crowns C1, C2, C3, are the connecting flues through which
the surplus heat from one oven or kiln is passed to the next oven or kiln.
Tho
said flues are provided with dampers g.
D1, D2, D3, D4, are the branch flues leading into the main flue E each being
provided with dampers h.
Each oven or kiln has fireplaces a, shield walls or "bags" b perforated bottoms c
and doorways d and branch terminal flues e leading out of the connecting flues
C1, C2, C3, and having openings or outlets f of a capacity enlarging as they recede
from the connecting flues through which they receive the heat.
In working the kilns I charge N° 1 or the first oven or kiln of the series with
goods. The doorways and openings are then closed, and the burning is commenced
in the ordinary way, and the damper g in the connecting flue C¹ is closed and the
damper in the branch flue D¹ is opened for the passage of the steam or vapour
from the green goods through the perforated bottom of the oven or kiln and thence
by the flues C and D₁ into the main flue E and thence to the chimney. The next
oven or kiln N° 2 is meanwhile being charged with goods and when it is charged
the doorways and all other openings thereof are closed to exclude cold air and the
damper g in the connecting flue C2 is closed.
When the steam or vapour from the goods in N° 1 oven or kiln has all been
driven off the damper in the branch flue D₁ is closed and the damper g in the
connecting flue C' is opened so that the surplus heat from N° 1 oven or kiln passes
direct into N° 2 oven or kiln and is utilized in drying and burning the goods in
the same; the damper h in the branch flue D' being opened for the passage of
the steam or vapour from N° 2 oven or kiln to the main flue and thence to the
chimney.
The same process is repeated in N° 3 oven or kiln and then in N° 4 oven or kiln
the surplus heat from N° 2 being utilized in drying and burning the goods in
No 3 and the surplus heat from N° 3 being utilized in drying and burning the
goods in N° 4 and so on through any number of ovens or kilns that there may be
in the series.
The whole of the kilns Numbers 1, 2, 3, and 4 are now in operation Number 1
being on full fire and Numbers 2, and 3 at different stages towards full fire and
Number 4 drying.
The fires have been lighted only in N° 1 oven or kiln the surplus heat from
which has been utilized by being made to pass successively through the ovens or
kilns Nº 2, 3, and 4 so that while the fires have been lighted and are burning in
one kiln only the drying and burning has been proceeding at different stages in the
whole of the kilns of the series.

page_text: The doorways and fireholes of N° 23 and 4 are all closed to exclude cold air
and the dampers in the branch flues D1, D2, D3, are all closed to avoid loss of
beat and the dampers g in the connecting flues C1, C2, C3, are all open for the free
passage of the surplus heat from oven or kiln to oven or kiln, the only damper
open being that in the flue D' through which the steam or vapour from N° 4 oven
or kiln is passing to the chimney.
When the burning of the goods in N° 1 oven or kiln is completed and all or
practically all the surplus heat thereof has been utilized by passing it into N° 2
oven or kiln the connection between these two ovens or kilns is cut off by closing
the damper g in the connecting flue C and N° 1 oven or kiln is allowed to cool.
When No 2 oven or kiln has received from N° 1 all the heat it is possible to
utilize the fireholes of N° 2 are opened and the fires made up to complete the
burning in that oven or kiln.
After the burning in N° 2 oven or kiln is completed and practically all the
surplus heat from it has been utilized by passing it into N° 3 oven or kiln
the connection between these two kilns is cut off by closing the damper g in the
connecting flue C in the same manner as before described with regard to the other
oven or kiln and the fireholes in N° 3 are opened and the fires made up to complete
the burning in that oven or kiln. The same process is carried on with N° 4 oven
or kiln and similarly through any number of kilns which there may be in a series.
Referring to figures 4 and 5 shewing the application of my Invention to
rectangular ovens or kilns it will be seen that the flues passages and dampers are
arranged substantially after the same manner as explained with regard to Figures 1,
2 and 3 aud corresponding parts are marked with the same letters of reference.
The sections of the three ovens or kilns 2, 3, & 4 shown in Figure 5 are taken
respectively on different lines shown in Figure 4 N° 2 being taken on the line x, x,
No 3 on the line y y and N° 4 on the line z, z.
The connecting flues (C C1 C2, C3) lead into branch flues e each of which lead
direct into one or more flues or outlets f in the "dead" ends of the oven or kiln
and these lead up the walls as shown in N° 1 oven or kiln and terminate in outlets
preferably towards the upper parts of the said walls. Or each branch flue e may
terminate in a single flue or outlet opening into the doorway of the oven or kiln as
in No 2 & 3. The heated air and products of combustion pass through the
perforated floor and connecting flues in substantially the same way as described
with regard to the ovens or kilns, Figures 1, 2, and 3.
My Invention is applicable to all kinds of detached ovens or kilns round, square
or of other shape which are worked with a down draught and they may be placed
either in a straight line or otherwise. When erecting new works I prefer to
arrange the ovens or kilns in a straight line at regular distances apart as shown in
the drawings.
When the improvements are applied to ovens or kilns of existing works and
where such ovens or kilns do not stand in regular order and are too far apart from
each other to be easily connected it will be advisable to erect other ovens or kilns
between them where the intermediate space is sufficient to admit of this being
done so that the connecting flues may be made as short as possible to avoid loss of
heat and interference with the draught which would result from heated products
of combustion having to pass through long flues.
Where existing kilns do not stand near enough in line to be readily connected
with one direct flue it will be advisable in some cases to make use of the existing
outlet flues either by continuing them to the next kiln as connecting flues or as
branch flues to the main flue and constructing an independent connecting flue
from kiln to kiln. But generally I prefer to make only one outlet flue from each
kiln and to take the branch flue out of this to the main flue as shewn in the
Drawings.
My Invention can be applied to two or more ovens or kilns and therefore is
applicable to small works in districts where the trade is limited as well as to large

page_text: manufactories where the trade is extensive and new ovens or kilns may be added
to the series at any time when an increasing trade may make it necessary.
Where the chimney is not large enough to work a series of kilns the draught
may be increased by using an exhaust fan in connection with the main flue.
To ensure the fullest economy in fuel and labour and the consumption of smoke,
it is essential that a powerful draught be maintained to draw freely through the
series of ovens or kilns in operation which draught by promoting rapid combustion,
accelerates the burning thereby saving time and enabling a better quality of goods
to be produced with a minimum of loss.
It will be observed that the improvements constituting this Invention are such
as not to interfere with the working of the kilns or ovens separately when
circumstances make it advisable or necessary to do so as in the case of repairs or
slackness of trade.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said
Invention and in what manner the same is to be performed I declare that what
I claim is,
First, Providing detached down draught ovens or kilns with connecting flues
leading from one oven or kiln to an adjacent oven or kiln and therein opening into
branch terminal flues having openings or outlets therefrom which are smallest at
the entrance to the oven or kiln and increasing in size as they approach the end
of the flues or opposite side of the kiln or oven the said connecting flues being
worked in combination with branch flues and a main flue the said connecting and
branch flues being capable of being controlled by dampers all being arranged and
operated substantially in the manner and for the purpose herein before described
with reference to Figures 1, 2 and 3 of the accompanying Drawings.
Secondly. Providing rectangular or analogously shaped down draught detached
kilns or ovens with connecting flues, leading from one chamber to an adjacent
chamber and there opening into branch terminal flues leading into flues in the
"dead" ends of the ovens or kilns the said flues having openings or outlets
therefrom into the said adjacent chamber the said connecting flues being worked
in combination with branch flues and a main flue the said connecting and branch
Hlues being capable of being controlled by dampers all being arranged and operated
substantially in the manner and for the purpose hereinbefore described with
reference to Figures 4 and 5 of the accompanying Drawings.
Thirdly, The general arrangements and combinations of parts constituting the
combined series of detached kilns or ovens arranged in the manner hereinbefore
described and illustrated in the accompanying Drawings.
Dated this 20th day of September 1884.