Improvements in Cupolas or Furnaces for Melting Iron.
Year: 1892

page_text: Date of Application, 1st Feb., 1892
Complete Specification Left, 1st Nov., 1892-Accepted, 3rd Dec., 1892
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Cupolas or Furnaces for Melting Iron.
We THOMAS CONSTANTINE FAwcett, Senior, and THOMAS CONSTANTINE
FAWCETT, Junior, of the Whitehouse Engineering Works, Hunslet, Leeds, in the
County of York, Machine Makers, and GEORGE DYSON of the same place,
Foreman Moulder, do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as
follows:-
In cupolas as at present constructed, it has been customary to blow cold air into
the furnace for the purpose of heating the coke and melting the metal when
"blowing," but according to our invention we propose to blow bot air into the
furnace and for that purpose we utilise the spent heat and gases arising from the
furnace. In constructing a cupola according to our invention we employ an
ordinary form of cylindrical casing, provided with the usual doors or openings for
charging the furnace with coke and metal, and also the usual outlet for the moulten
metal to escape. The top of the cupola is covered in by a dome and provided with
a chimney, which allows for the escape of smoke when first lighting the furnace.
Near the top of the cupola we fix an outer casing or jacket forming a chamber
containing a coiled pipe. This chamber is connected with the inner portion of the
cupola by passages and the chamber is also provided with an outlet or chimney for
the heated air and gases to escape to the atmosphere, and as the flames and heated
gases arise from the furnace, they impinge against the coiled pipes whereby they
become heated. One end of this coiled pipe is in communication with a rotary
blower, whilst the other end of the coiled pipe is in communication with the blast
belt or that portion of the cupola containing the tuyres; therefore on the rotary
blower generating air and forcing it through the coiled pipes which are heated by the
escape of the flames and gases, the air passing therethrough on its way to the blast
belt becomes highly heated before it enters the cupola which greatly assists in
melting the metal. By blowing heated air into a cupola considerably less coke is
required than is the case when blowing in cold air, and the metal will be melted
in a much shorter time, whereby there is a considerable saving in fuel and also of
time.
In order to prevent the entrance of cold air into the furnace when charging it
with coke and metal through the usual door or opening we employ a sliding door
in front of which is a hopper which we charge with coke and metal and when it
is required to introduce it into the furnace, we slide the door away from its position,
whereupon the coke and metal drops into the furnace, after which, the door is
slided back and the hopper refilled to be ready for the next charge.
Dated this 30th day of January 1892.
TASKER & CROSSLEY,
Halifax, Agents.
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Cupolas or Furnaces for Melting Iron.
We, THOMAS CONSTANTINE FAWCETT, Senior, and THOMAS CONSTANTINE
FAWCETT, Junior, of the Whitehouse Engineering Works, Hunslet, Leeds in the
County of York, Machine Makers, and GEORGE DYSON, of the same place,
Foreman Moulder, do hereby declare the nature of this invention and in what
manner the same is to be performed, to be particularly described and ascertained
in and by the following statement :-
In cupolas as at present constructed it has been customary to blow cold air into

page_text: 6:
the furnace for the purpose of heating the coke and melting the metal when
blowing," but according to our invention we propose to blow hot air into the
furnace and for that purpose we utilise the spent heat and gases arising from the
furnace.
In order that our invention may be more fully understood reference is herein
had to the accompanying drawings illustrative thereof, wherein Fig. 1 is vertical
section of a cupola or blast furnace for melting iron constructed according to our
invention, and Fig. 2 is plan of same taken on line a. b. of Fig. 1.
A represents an ordinary form of cylindrical casing or furnace provided with the
usual door or opening B for charging the furnace with coke and metal and with an
ordinary outlet for the escape of molten metal.
The top of the cupola covered in by a dome C and provided with a chimney D
which allows for the escape of smoke and heated gases from the furnace into the
atmosphere.
At or near the top of the cupola and communicating therewith by an opening or
openings E is a chamber F containing a coiled pipe & communicating by pipe H
with a rotary blower and by pipe I with the blast chamber or belt J containing
the tuyeres, said pipe I being provided with a stop valve c. The air generated by
the blower is forced through pipe H into the coil G which being heated by the
Hames and heated gases arising from the furnace impinging thereon in their
passage to the chimney D, heats the air as it circulates through the said coil to a
high temperature. This highly heated air is then conducted from the bottom of
the coil by pipe I to the blast chamber and cupola and, adding materially to the
heat of the furnace greatly assists in melting the metal. The requisite temperature
of the furnace is also maintained with a less expenditure of fuel.
K is a hot air channel (shewn in dotted lines) communicating between the
furnace and the chamber L.
M is the slagging out hole.
In order to prevent the entrance of cold air into the furnace when charging it
with coke and metal, we close the opening B by means of a sliding door B¹ in front
of which is a hopper B³ which we charge with the coke and metal and when it is
required to introduce it into the furnace, the door is slided away from the opening B
whereupon the charge drops into the furnace and the door is then slided back again
ready to be refilled with the next charge of fuel or metal.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of our said inven-
tion, and in what manner the same is to be performed, we declare that what we
claim is :-
Firstly. The means and method substantially as herein shewn and described for
utilising the spent heat and gases arising from furnaces for heating the air blast
before it enters the cupola.
Secondly. In cupolas or furnaces for melting iron, the means for preventing the
entrance of cold air to the furnace when charging same substantially as herein set
forth.
Dated this 31st day of October 1892..
TASKER & CROSSLEY,
Halifax, Agents.