IMPROVEMENTS IN STOVES FOR HEATING THE BLAST OF BLAST FURNACES
Year: 1882

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Charles Lister and Thomas Wardle both of Middles-
borough in the County of York Blast Furnace Builders for an invention
of "IMPROVEMENTS IN STOVES FOR HEATING THE BLAST OF BLAST FURNACES”
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Charles Lister and Thomas
Wardle at the Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 2nd June 1882.
CHARLES LISTER and THOMAS WARDLE both of Middlesborough in the County
of York Blast Furnace Builders "IMPROVEMENTS IN STOVES FOR HEATING THE
BLAST FOR BLAST FURNACES"
Our Invention relates to the construction of Hot Blast Stoves of the kind used
for heating blast for blast furnaces known as regenerative stoves for absorbing and
giving off heat on the principle setforth in the specification filed in pursuance of
Letters Patent No 3866 granted to Thomas Wardle and Charles Lister as of the
day of
A.D 1880 The interior of the stoves consisting of fire bricks
or other refractory material heated by Gas. In using these stoves two or more
similar stoves are employed alternately or in rotation each stove being first
heated by Gas supplied from the blast furnace or other source into which the blast
is afterwards introduced and so heated on its passage to the blast furnace.
In carrying out our Invention we provide for each stove two Chambers or
separate portions constructed of fire brick or other refractory material and cased
with Iron, which chambers are connected together by a passage or tube constructed
of the same material; the interior of that part of these chambers used as the
regenerator is provided with an arrangement of brick work forming spaces and
interstices for the passage of burning gas from which they absorb heat to be again
given off to the blast which afterwards passes over the same surfaces and through
the same spaces and interstices. To one of the chambers is connected the valve
for the inlet of Gas and also the valve for the outlet of hot blast, this chamber
being of smaller capacity than the second chamber and forms the combustion
chamber the burning gas being conveyed from this Chamber through a passage at

page_text: or near the top leading into the top of the second chamber which is of larger
capacity and acts as the regenerator
This second chamber or regenerator is either divided by vertical walls into three
equal sections the first wall being closed at the top and open at the bottom the
second wall being open at the top and closed at the bottom by which arrangement
the burning gas delivered from the combustion chamber into the top of the first
section passes as a down current into the bottom of the second section through
which it passes as an up current to the top of the third section and again as a
down current to the chimney making its exit through the valve provided as an
outlet for the products of combustion. Or the second or regenerative chamber
may be simply provided with brickwork forming spaces and interstices for heating
surface in such a manner that the burning gas delivered from the combustion
chamber into the top of the regenerator passes as a down current through the
whole of the brickwork to the chimney making its exit as before. Heating
surface is provided in the regenerative chamber to the greatest possible amount by
intersections of vertical walls of brick work forming spaces and interstices which
are pervaded by the burning gas on its passage from the combustion chamber to
the chimney The cold blast is admitted through a valve into the regenerative
chamber and passes through it to the combustion chamber and out at the hot
blast valve to the furnace passing through all the spaces and interstices of the
regenerative chamber which have been heated by the burning gas which passed
through in the exactly opposite direction.
The construction of the stove may be modified as hereinafter described the first
chamber to which is connected the valve for the inlet of gas and the valve for the
outlet of hot blast may be constructed of dimensions not less than the second
chamber and divided by an internal vertical wall open at the top into two sections
the first section in this case forming the combustion chamber from which the
burning gases are conveyed over the top of the wall into the second section, in
this case the two chambers or separate portions are connected together at or near
the bottom by a passage or tube and the second chamber to which is connected the
outlet valve for the products of combustion and the inlet valve for cold blast is
divided by a vertical internal wall open at the top into two sections. In this way
the burning gas delivered from the combustion chamber or first section over the
wall into the top of the second section in the first chamber passes as a down
current to the tube or passage connecting the two chambers and thence as an up
current through the first section of the second chamber over the top of the wall
(into the second section and thence as a down current to the chimney as in the
previous case the greatest possible amount of heating surface being provided as
before.
We also modify our construction of the stove as follows in the place of two
chambers or separate portions connected together, we provide one chamber only of
great height and having the combustion chamber at the bottom of the stove, the
upper part forming the regenerator, heating surface being provided by the inter-
section of vertical walls of brick work forming spaces and interstices through
which the burning gas is conveyed as an ascending current on its passage from the
combustion chamber to the chimney which in this case is placed at the top of the
stove; the cold blast valve is connected to the chimney as in the preceeding cases
and the blast passes as a descending current through the regenerator to the
combustion chamber and through the hot blast valve to the furnace.
In each of these arrangements we have provided a passage of the gas from a
combustion chamber into a regenerator chamber filled with intersections of brick-
work forming heating surface or divided into three sections only, each section
being filled with intersections of brickwork in the same way our object being to
avoid as much as possible unnecessary obstruction to the passage of the gas through
the stove arising from sharp curves caused by reversing the direction of the
current, which obstruction has to be overcome by providing a greater power of
draught in the chimney than is necessary for stoves constructed as before described.

page_text: Each Stove is provided with man-holes at the top and the usual doors and
openings for admission of air or for cleaning out dust. But in order that the
accumulation of dust may be the least possible we provide instantaneous valves'
which are constructed as follows:-the valve seat which is secured to the casing
in the usual manner is provided with logs or jaws placed in opposite parts to one
of which is attached a cross-bar or lever working on a pin, and fastened down by
a bridle or catch attached by a pin to the other lug or jaws, the valve is adjustable
by means of a bolt or stud which secures it to the lever, and may be used as an
air valve by being screwed up so as not to close upon the valve seat. A blow
with a hammer given to the bridle or catch liberates the lever when the valve
instantly flies open by the pressure of the blast, but is prevented from injuring
itself by chains connecting the lever to the casing, this operation is performed
when the stove is changed from blast to gas and the valves are supplied in suitable
positions at the lower part of the stove so that by discharging the hot blast
sometimes from one and sometimes from another of these instantaneous valves its
force is utilised for cleaning the stove in every part.

page_text: SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed
by the said Charles Lister & Thomas Wardle in the Great Seal Patent
Office on the 2nd December 1882.
CHARLES LISTER and THOMAS WARDLE both of Middlesborough in the County
of York Blast Furnace Builders "IMPROVEMENTS IN STOVES FOR HEATING THE
BLAST OF BLAST FURNACES."
Our Invention relates to the construction of Hot Blast Stoves of the kind used
for heating blast for blast furnaces known as regenerative stoves for absorbing and
giving off heat on the principle set forth in the Specification filed in pursuance of
Letters Patent Number 3866 granted to Thomas Wardle and Charles Lister as of
the twenty fourth day of September in the year of Our Lord One thousand eight
hundred and eighty the interior of the stoves consisting of fire bricks or other
refractory material heated by Gas.
In using these stoves two or more similar stoves are employed, alternately or in
rotation, each stove being first heated by gas supplied from the blast furnace or
other source into which stove the blast is afterwards introduced and so heated on
its passage to the blast furnace.
In carrying our Invention into effect we provide for each stove a combustion
chamber and a regenerative chamber which may be in two lengths or portions
connected together by a passage or tube whether at or near the top or bottom,
these portions or apparatus may be cylindrical or of any other suitable form in
section, but are in every case constructed of fire brick or other refractory material
and cased with iron; the interior of that part of the stove used as the regenerator
is provided with intersecting walls of brickwork arranged into spaces or interstices
forming long vertical flues through each of which passes a current of burning gas;
the heat of which is absorbed by the bricks to be again given off to the currents
of blast which afterwards pass through the same flues or passages but in the
opposite direction.
To the combustion chamber is connected the valve for the inlet of gas and also
the valve for the outlet of hot blast as well as valves for the supply of air
necessary to set up the combustion of the hot gases and to the regenerator is
connected a valve chamber containing a valve for the outlet of the products of
combustion, and also a valve for the admission of the cold blast
When the stove is constructed of two apparatus or portions connected at or near
the top the first apparatus will be of smaller capacity than the second apparatus
and will form the combustion chamber; the second apparatus will form the
regenerator and may be divided by vertical walls into three sections the first wall
being closed at the top and open at the bottom and the second wall being open at
the top and closed at the bottom by which arrangement the burning gases delivered
from the combustion chamber into the regenerator will pass through the first
section in long vertical down currents thence through the second section in long
vertical up currents and again through the third section in long vertical down
currents to the chimney making its exit through the valve provided as the outlet
valve for the products of combustion-Or the vertical walls dividing the second
apparatus forming the regenerator into three sections as hereinbefore described
may be dispensed with, in which case the burning gases delivered from the
combustion chamber into the regenerator will pass through the regenerator in long
vertical down currents and out through the chimney valve as before described
When the Stove is constructed of two portions or apparatus connected at or near
the bottom the first apparatus must be sufficient capacity to contain the com-
bustion chamber and the first section of the regenerator, and will be divided by a

page_text: vertical wall open at the top and closed at the bottom; the second apparatus will
contain the second and third sections of the regenerator divided by a vertical wall
also open at the top and closed at the bottom in this way the burning gases
delivered from the combustion chamber into the regenerator will pass through the
first section in long vertical down currents to the passage connecting the two
portions of the stove, thence through the second section in long vertical up currents
and again through the third section in long vertical down currents to the chimney.
as before described.
In one of these Modifications it will be seen that the regenerator is not divided
into sections and in two other modifications the regenerator is divided into three
sections and in no case do we prefer more than three sections
The burning gases delivered from the combustion chamber pass in long vertical
currents through the regenerator or each section of the regenerator to the chimney,
after which the blast to be heated passes through the stove in long vertical currents
through the same flues or passages but in the opposite direction and passes out as
hot blast through the hot blast valve The greatest possible amount of heating
surface must be provided by constructing intersecting walls dividing the regenerator
or each section of the regenerator into vertical flues or passages of suitable form
and area.
In this way the gas or blast is made to pass through the stove in long vertical
currents and round sharp curves when the direction of the current has to be
reversed, which sharp curves impede the passage of both gas and blast. Our
object is therefore to construct a stove having a large amount of heating surface
with preferably a small number of sharp curves which we do by dividing the
regenerator into not more than three sections, or in some cases not into sections
at all.
The intersecting walls of the regenerator are supported on arches suitably placed
and constructed making an open passage along the bottom of the regenerator or
each section of the regenerator
The Stove will be provided with manholes and covers on the domes and doors
placed in suitable positions to give access to the top of the intersecting walls for
examination and repairs. The Valves for the hot blast, gas, cold blast or chimney
may be of any suitable construction, but in place of ordinary cleaning doors we
provide what we call "Instantaneous Valves" which may be constructed in any
suitable manner to enable us to suddenly discharge the blast which must be
exhausted from the stove previous to adinitting a fresh supply of gas, by which
means we avail ourselves of its scouring effects to prevent an accumulation of
deposit on the heating surfaces of the stove.
We will explain how valves to effect this purpose may be constructed The
valve seat which is secured to the casing in the usual manner is provided with
lugs or jaws formed in opposite parts of the seat, to one of which is attached a
cross bar or lever working on a pin and fastened down by a bridle or catch
attached by a pin to the other lug or jaws; the valve is adjustable by means of a
bolt screw or stud which secures it to the lever and may be used as an air valve
by being screwed up so as not to close upon the valve seat; a blow from a hammer
upon the bridle or catch releases the lever when the valve instantly flies open but
is preserved from injury by a chain or chains or the like connecting the said lever
to the casing. This opening of the valve is performed when the stove is to be
changed from blast to gas, the blast which must be exhausted from the stove
before the gas is admitted being discharged through any one of the valves which
are placed in suitable positions at the lower part of the stove. Sight holes are
provided in suitable positions for inspection of the burning gases
And in order that our said Invention may be better understood we shall now
proceed more particularly to describe the same and for that purpose shall refer to
the several figures on the annexed sheets of drawings the same letters of reference
indicating corresponding parts in all the figures
Figures 1. 2 and 3 illustrate the form of stove when constructed of two portions

page_text: or appartus connected at or near the top-Figures 4 and 5 also illustrate a
similar form of construction of the stove-Figures 6 and 7 illustrate another form:
of the stove when constructed of two portions or apparatus and connected at or.
near the bottom.
'
Figure 1 is a sectional plan of the stove taken on the line X X'. Figures 2
and 3; Figure 2 is a vertical section taken on the line X2 X2 Figure 1 and
Figure 3 is a vertical section taken on the line X3 X³ of Figures 1 and 2. A is
the combustion chamber which may be cylindrical or of other suitable form in
transverse section, and is connected at or near the top with the regenerative
chamber B which is divided into three sections B¹. B². B³ by the vertical walls c¹ c².
This chamber may be cylindrical or of other suitable form in transverse section.
Each section B B2 B3 of the regenerative chamber B is divided by intersecting
walls bb into long vertical flues or passages through each of which passes a current
of burning gas the heat of which is absorbed by the bricks to be again given off to
the currents of blast which afterwards pass through the same flues or passages but
in the opposite direction.
The Gases from the blast furnace or other source enter the combustion chamber
A through the gas valve D air being admitted through air valves E! E² into the
internal chamber F from which it is delivered through a number of small openings f
into the combustion chamber A where it unites with the gas and sets up
combustion The gases pass from the combustion chamber A to the first section B¹
of the regenerator B through which they pass in long vertical down currents to
the arched openings in the lower part of the wall c¹ through which they enter the
second section B2 of the regenerator, passing through this section in long vertical
up currents over the wall c² into the third section B³, and in long vertical down
currents through this section to the Chimney valve in the Chamber G in which
Chamber is also placed the inlet valve for the blast to be heated which passes
through the stove in long vertical currents similarly to the gas and through the
same flues and passages but in exactly opposite directions the surfaces of the said
flues and passages giving off to it the heat previously absorbed from the gases
until it is delivered as hot blast to the furnace through the hot blast valve H.
Figures 4 and 5 show the manner in which our Invention may be modified by
connecting the two portions or apparatus at or near the top figure 4 being a
vertical section taken on the line Y. Y². figure 5 and figure 5 a sectional plan
taken on the line Y¹ Y¹ figure 4. The regenerator B is not divided into sections
but simply provided with intersecting walls b. b. forming long vertical flues or
passages similar to those already described.
In this case as before the combustion Chamber A and regenerator B may be
cylindrical or of any other suitable form in transverse section The gases delivered
from the combustion Chamber A to the regenerative chamber B pass in long
vertical down current through the regenerator and out through the chimney valve
in the Chamber G which also contains the valve for the cold blast which passes
through the stove in the exactly opposite direction as before described.
Figures 6 and 7 show how our invention may be modified by constructing the
stove of two portions or apparatus connected at or near the bottom instead of at
or near the top as explained with regard to figures 1 to 5. Figure 6 is a vertical
section taken on the line V2 V2 figure 7, and figure 7 is a sectional plan taken on
the line V¹ V¹ figure 6. In this case each portion of the stove may be cylindrical
or of other suitable form in transverse section, but the first portion must be of
sufficient capacity to contain the combustion Chamber A and the first Section B¹
of the regenerative portion of the stove, which are divided by the vertical wall c.
The second portion of the stove contains the remainder of the Regenerator B
divided into sections B³ B³ by the vertical wall c³-Each of the sections B' B$ B³
is divided by intersecting walls b. b. into long vertical flues or passages as before
described with regard to figures 1 to 5, The burning gases delivered from the
combustion Chamber A pass over the wall c. and in long vertical down currents
through the Section B¹ of the regenerator to the passage connecting the two

page_text: portions of the stove through which they enter the section B2 of the regenerator,
through which they pass in long vertical up currents over the wall c² and thence
in long vertical down currents through the section B3 and out through the chimney
valve in the Chamber G which chamber also contains the valve for the cold blast,
which passes through the stove in the opposite direction as before described
Figures 8 and 9 illustrate a form of construction of valves as hereinafter described
which we call "Instantaneous Valves" and are respectively a front view and a
vertical section of a valve. The valve seat a is secured to the casing in the usual
manner and is provided with jaws or lugs b¹ 62 formed at opposite parts of the
seat to one of which b' is attached a cross bar or lever 3 working on a pin c¹ as a
centre and held fast by a bridle or catch & attached by a pin d² to the other lug b²
The valve e is adjustable by means of a screw bolt or stud f' and may be used as
an air valve by being screwed so as not to close upon the valve seat. A blow from
a hammer on the bridle or catch d releases the lever c³ when the valve e instantly
flies open by the pressure of the blast but is preserved from injury by a chain or
chains as at g-connecting the said lever to the casing. This opening of the valve
is performed when the stove is to be changed from blast to gas, the blast which
must be exhausted from the stove before the gas is admitted being discharged
through any one of the valves k¹ k² kk which are placed in suitable positions at
the lower part of the stove-Sight holes ¹³ ³ are provided in suitable positions
for inspection of the burning gases.
Having now described and particularly ascertained the nature of our said
Invention and the manner in which the same is or may be used, or carried into
effect we would observe in conclusion that what we consider to be novel and
original and therefore claim as the Invention secured to us by the hereinbefore in
part recited Letters Patent is
First A Stove for heating the blast for blast furnaces having the internal
arrangement of the combustion and regenerative portions of the stove so constructed
and connected as to provide the passage of the gas or blast through the Stove in
long vertical currents whether by dividing the regenerator into three sections or
by not dividing the regenerator into sections at all, as described and shown under
various modifications in the several figures of the drawings.
Secondly The stove for heating the blast for blast furnaces hereinbefore
described and illustrated in Figures 1. 2 and 3 of the accompanying Drawings.
Thirdly The stove for heating the blast for blast furnaces hereinbefore
described and illustrated in Figures 4 and 5 of the accompanying drawings.
Fourthly The stove for heating the blast for blast furnaces hereinbefore
described and illustrated in Figures 6 and 7 of the accompanying drawings.
Fifthly The prevention of accumulation of deposit on the heating surfaces of
Stoves for heating the blast for blast furnaces by utilising the scouring effect of
the blast when suddenly exhausted through instantaneous valves previous to
admitting a fresh supply of gas substantially as herein before described.
Sixthly The instantaneous valve for stoves for heating the blast for blast
furnaces herein before described and illustrated in Figures 8 and 9 of the
accompanying Drawings.
In witness whereof we the said Charles Lister and Thomas Wardle have to
this our Specification set our hands and seals the Twentyeth day of November
One thousand eight hundred and eighty two
CHARLES LISTER (L.S.)
THOMAS WARDLE (L.S.)