Improvements in or connected with Destructor Furnaces for the Treatment of Town Refuse.
Year: 1894

page_text: Date of Application, 21 d Aug., 1894
Complete Specification Left, 2nd May, 1895-Accepted, 8th June, 1895
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in or connected with Destructor Furnaces for the
Treatment of Town Refuse.
I, SAMUEL WILLOUGHBY, of Devon House, St. Mary Grove, Chiswick, in the
County of Middlesex, Engineer, do hereby declare the nature of this invention to
be as follows:
This invention relates to improvements in or connected with destructor furnaces
for the treatment of town refuse.
In carrying the invention into effect, a furnace of suitable construction is
employed having arranged above it a horizontal flue provided with a damper or
regulator for the admission of air to the products of combustion after they have
passed the bridge, and such air, being thoroughly heated before meeting the
products of combustion, assists in effecting the complete combustion or nearly
so of the refuse as it passes through the inclined cylindrical flue, as hereinafter
described.
Extending from the furnace proper at the rear thereof and rising at a suitable
angle is an inclined cylindrical flue or combustion chamber composed of a cylinder
of iron lined with a suitable thickness of fire-clay or fire-brick or other suitable
material, such as, asbestos, and provided around its interior with a spirally arranged
projection or rib also formed of fire-clay or fire-brick and constituting a feed screw
for the purpose hereinafter described.
The cylinder or combustion chamber is mounted with capability of revolution
upon wheels or rollers and it has a rotary motion imparted thereto by means of a
worm wheel arranged around the cylinder engaging a worm or wheel upon a driven
shaft or by other suitable means, or, the cylinder or combustion chamber may be
suspended on travelling endless chains.
The refuse to be destroyed is fed into the upper end of the combustion chamber
through a suitable hopper, and, in the revolution of the cylindrical combustion
chamber, is by the feed screw gradually carried towards the furnace end of the
combustion chamber, in its course, meeting the products of combustion from the
furnace and becoming completely destroyed whilst upon arriving at the lower end
of the combustion chamber, the refuse ashes fall into a pit located a little distance
in the rear of the bridge of the furnace and lurnished with a sliding door through
which the ashes may be removed when required.
Beyond the cylinder or combustion chamber, in a suitable chamber, is arranged
a multitubular boiler or other suitable form of steam generator and the draught is
so arranged that the products of combustion are carried therethrough or thereby
on their way to the chimney by which means the products of combustion are
employed to generate steam which may be applied to any desired purpose, whilst,
in order to quickly generate steam at starting, a small auxiliary furnace is provided
beneath the steam generator.
The products of combustion, after passing the steam generator and on their way
to the chimney, meet a shower of water issuing from a sprinkler located at a
suitable elevation by which any light particles of matter, which would otherwise be
carried through the chimney by the draught, and other impurities will be thrown
down with the water into a tank from which the water is removed from time to
time by the aid of a sunbon

page_text: In lieu of arranging the cylinder in an inclined position, as hereinbefore
described, it may be placed in a horizontal position, and, if desired, the products of
combustion in lieu of passing through the interior thereof may be caused to pass
around the exterior thereof.
By the means hereinbefore described, all kinds of refuse matter may be so
completely destroyed that neither smoke nor smell issues from the chimney.
Dated this 2nd day of August 1894.
VAUGHAN & SON,
Agents for the Applicant.
improvements in or connected with Destructor Furnaces for the
Treatment of Town Refuse.
I, SAMUEL WILLOUGHBY, of Devon House, St. Mary's Grove, Chiswick, in the
County of Middlesex, Engineer, do hereby declare the nature of the said invention
and in what manner the same is to be performed to be particularly described and
ascertained in and by the following statement :-
My said invention relates to improvements in or connected with destructors for
the treatment of town refuse.
In carrying the invention into effect, a furnace of suitable construction is
employed having arranged above it a horizontal flue provided with a damper or
regulator for the admission of air to the products of combustion after they have
passed the bridge, and such air, becoming thoroughly heated before meeting the
products of combustion, assists in effecting the complete combustion or nearly so of
the refuse as it passes through the tubular combustion chamber as hereinafter
described.
Extending from the furnace proper at the rear thereof and rising at a suitable
angle, is an inclined cylindrical flue or tubular combustion chamber composed of a
cylinder of iron lined with a suitable thickness of fire-clay or fire-brick or other
suitable material, such as asbestos, and provided around its interior with spirally or
angularly or longitudinally arranged projections or ribs also formed of fire-clay or
fire-brick or other material and constituting lifters or stirrers and sometimes a feed
device for the purpose hereinafter described.
The tubular combustion chamber is mounted with capability of revolution upon
wheels or rollers and it has a rotary motion imparted thereto by means of a worm
wheel arranged around the cylinder engaging a worm or wheel upon a driven shaft
or by other suitable means. Or, the tubular combustion chamber may be suspended
on travelling endless chains.
The refuse to be destroyed is fed into the upper end of the combustion chamber
through a suitable bopper, and, in the revolution of the tubular combustion
chamber, is, by the inclination thereof, or, in the case of a horizontal combustion
chamber, by the lifters or vanes, gradually carried towards the furnace end of the
combustion chamber, in its course meeting the products of combustion from the
furnace and becoming completely destroyed whilst upon arriving at the lower or
furnace end of the combustion chamber the refuse ashes fall into a pit located a
little distance in the rear of the bridge of the furnace and furnished with a sliding
door through which the ashes may be removed, when required.
Beyond the tubular combustion chamber, in a suitable chamber is arranged a
multitubular boiler or other suitable form of steam generator and the draught is so
arranged that the products of combustion are carried therethrough or thereby on
their way to the chimney, by which means the products of combustion are
employed to generate steam which may be applied to any desired purpose, whilst,

page_text: in order to quickly generate steam at starting, a small auxiliary furnace is provided
beneath the steam generator.
The products of combustion, after passing the steam generator and on their way
to the chimney, meet a shower of water issuing from a sprinkler located at a
suitable elevation, by which any light particles of matter, which would otherwise
be carried through the chimney by the draught, and other impurities will be thrown
down with the water into a tank from which the water may be removed from time
to time by the aid of a syphon.
In lieu of arranging the tubular combustion chamber in au inclined position as
herein before described, it may be placed in a horizontal position, and, if described,
the products of combustion in lieu of passing through the interior thereof may he
caused to pass around the exterior thereof.
By the means herein before described all kinds of refuse matter may be so
completely destroyed that neither smoke nor smell issues from the chimney.
And, in order that the said invention may be more clearly understood and readily
carried into effect, I will proceed, aided by the accompanying drawings, more fully
to describe the same.
DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS.
Figure 1. is a vertical longitudinal section of a destructor constructed according
to the present invention.
Figure 2. is an end elevation of the furnace end thereof, and,
Figure 3. is a vertical transverse section taken on the line 1-1. of Figure 1.
Figure 4. is a sectional plan of the entire structure.
Figure 5. is an end elevation thereof.
Figure 6. is a vertical transverse section taken on the line 2-2. of Figure 4. but
drawn to an enlarged scale.
Figure 7. is a vertical transverse section, taken on the line 3-3 of Figure 4.
Figure 8. is an independent vertical longitudinal section of part showing the
application of a steam generator to the apparatus.
Figure 9. is a transverse section taken on the line 4-4. of Figure 4. drawn to an
enlarged scale.
Figure 10. is a vertical longitudinal section representing a modified form of
apparatus, and,
Figure 11. is a transverse section of the cylindrical combustion chamber taken
on the line 5.-5. of Figure 10.
In the several figures like parts are indicated by similar letters of reference.
Referring to Figures 1 to 9. a. represents a furnace which may be of any
suitable construction and which is fed through a door a' whilst a door a²
communicates with the ashpit.
Above the furnace a. is arranged a horizontal flue a³ provided with a damper or
regulator at for the admission of air to the products of combustion after they have
passed the bridge as the central part of the flue a³, where it crosses the furnace a.,
consisting of a cast iron pipe or brick a³ so that the air entering by the
chamber a and passing through the flue a³ as will become thoroughly heated
before meeting the products of combustion beyond the bridge a³ and thereby assist
in effecting the complete combustion or nearly so of the refuse as it passes through
the inclined tubular combustion chamber hereinafter described.
Extending from the furnace proper a. at the rear thereof and rising at a suitable
angle is a tubular combustion chamber or flue b. composed of a cylinder of iron b',
although it may be of other form than cylindrical, lined with a suitable thickness
of fire-clay or fire-brick or other suitable material, such as asbestos, and around
the interior of the lining are provided several spirally, angularly or longitudinally
arranged projections or ribs formed of fire-clay or fire-brick or cast iron or
other suitable material constituting an agitating or feed device for the purpose
hereinafter described.
The iron casing b' of the tubular combustion chamber b. has fixed therewith by

page_text: brackets so as to be more or less insulated therefrom several wrought iron or
steel rings or tyres which rest upon adjustable bearing wheels or rollers 46 so
that the combustion chamber . is thus mounted with capability of revolution
whilst steadying rollers * are employed to run in contact with the edges of
the rings or tyres in order to prevent endway movement of the combustion
chamber b.
Sight holes are provided to enable the contents of the combustion chamber b.
to be inspected from time to time whilst the apparatus is in operation.
Rotary motion is imparted to the tubular combustion chamber b. by means of a
toothed wheel * carried by brackets and engaging a toothed pinion fixel
upon a shaft or axis mounted with capability of revolution in suitable bearings
and also having fixed therewith a worm wheel ** engaging a worm 68 fixed upon a
driven shaft 8 or other suitable means might be employed to give the necessary
rotary motion to the combustion chamber b.
The refuse to be destroyed is fed into the upper end of the revolving combustion
chamber b. through a suitable hopper c. passing through a disinfecting chamber d.
and in the revolution of the combustion chamber b. is brought into contact with
the highly heated fire-brick lining and by the ribs or projections 68 is agitated
or disturbed so as to prevent the caking or clinkering of the refuse, and is at the
same time thereby gradually carried towards the furnace end of the combustion
chamber b. in its course meeting the products of combustion from the furnace a.
and becoming completely destroyed, whilst upon arriving at the lower end of the
combustion chamber b. the refuse ashes fall into a pit a located at a little distance
in the rear of the bridge a of the furnace and furnished with sliding doors a*
counterbalanced by means of weights a* through which the ashes may be
removed, when required.
.6*
Beyond the combustion chamber b. and as shown at Figure 8. is arranged a
multitubular boiler or other suitable form of steam generator e. and the draught
is so arranged that the products of combustion are carried therethrough on their
way to the chimney by which means the products of combustion from the
furnace a. and combustion chamber b. are employed to generate steam which may
be applied to any desired purpose, whilst, in order to quickly generate steam at
starting, a small auxiliary furnace e¹ is provided beneath the steam generator e.
The products of combustion after passing the steam generator e. and on their
way to the chimney meet a shower or spray of water issuing from a series of
pipes f. constituting a sprinkler located at a suitable elevation, by which any light
particles of matter, which would otherwise be carried through the chimney d by
the draught, and other impurities, will be thrown down with the water into a
tank from which the water is removed from time to time by the aid of a syphon,
as will be readily understood.
As a further precaution against the escape of noxious fumes, when very putrid
refuse is being treated, a small furnace g. is placed beyond the disinfecting
chamber d. between the sprinkler f. and the chimney d through which the fumes
are compelled to pass on their way to the chimney so that if any of the noxious
gases should not be thoroughly condensed by means of the water spray of the
sprinkler before passing to the chimney stack they will be completely
destroyed by the furnace g.
In the treatment of condemned meat, it is advisable not to pass it through the
combustion chamber b. but to feed it directly into the furnace a. so that it
may serve as fuel, and, for this purpose, the furnace a. is provided with a
moveable cover a lined with fire-brick and controlled by chains a passing over a
pulley (Figure 3) by means of which it may be raised in order to deposit the meat
in the furnace and then lowered into place so as to seal the furnace against the
escape of the fumes arising therefrom.
In the example given at Figures 10., and 11., in lieu of arranging the tubular
combustion chamber b. in an inclined position as herein before described with
respect to Figures 1. to 9. it is in this case disposed in a horizontal position and

page_text: around the chamber b. with a space between them is arranged a casing b lined
with fire-brick and fixed with the combustion chamber b. at one end by means of
brackets and at the other end by means of short tubes ** and the products of
combustion in lieu of passing through the interior of the chamber b. are by means
of a deflecting plate caused to pass through the space around the exterior of the
chamber b. whilst the refuse ashes from the chamber b. are in the revolution
thereof discharged through the short funnel shaped tubes 6** into the pit u°.
In this example also, in lieu of monnting the tubular combustion chamber.
upon rollers as hereinbefore described with respect to Figures 1. to 9. it is
suspended by means of travelling endless chains which receive motion from any
suitable source of power and pass around chain wheels fixed upon the casing *
by brackets and running in contact with the steadying wheels 66.
By the means hereinbefore described, the refuse in the revolution of the
combustion chamber b. is lifted or agitated and brought into intimate contact with
the highly heated fire-brick lining thereof whilst auy noxious gases and smoke
that may arise during the process of combustion pass around the feed hopper c.
into the disinfecting chamber d. where they are met by the water sprays and
finally, if necessary, pass through a furnace g. so that it is difficult or impossible for
them to pass into the shaft or chimney d' and thus all kinds of refuse matter will
be so completely destroyed that neither smoke nor smell issues from the shaft or
chimney.
The various parts of the apparatus are provided with suitable covered openings,
not specifically referred to, in order to give access thereto for cleansing and other
purposes, as will be readily understood.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what [
claim is
1. In a destructor, the combination of a rotative tubular combustion chamber
lined with fire-brick through which the material to be destroyed is passed, several
longitudinally arranged ribs or blades of fire-brick upon the interior of the
combustion chamber, a furnace the products of combustion from which pass there-
through, a disinfecting chamber through which the products of combustion are
compelled to pass on their way to the shaft or chimney and a sprinkler or water
spray arranged within the disinfecting chamber, all arranged in the manner and for
the purpose substantially as herein shown and described.
2. In a destructor the combination of a rotative tubular combustion chamber
lined with fire-brick through which the material to be destroyed is passed, several
longitudinally arranged ribs or blades of fire brick upon the interior of the
combustion chamber, a fire-clay or fire-brick lined jacket arranged around the
combustion chamber proper so as to leave a flue between, a furnace the products
from which pass through the flue between the combustion chamber and the jacket
and means for rotating feeding and discharging the combustion chamber, sub-
stantially as herein shown and described.
3. The peculiar construction, combination and arrangement of parts constituting
a destructor for town refuse, substantially as herein shown and described.
VAUGHAN & SON,
Agents for the Applicant.