IMPROVEMENTS IN THE MANU- FACTURE OF IRON AND STEEL, AND IN FURNACES OR APPARATUS CONNECTED THEREWITH, THE SAME BEING IN PART APPLICABLE TO OTHER PURPOSES
Year: 1877

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to William Gorman, of Glasgow, in the County of Lanark,
North Britain, Engineer, for the Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN THE MANU-
FACTURE OF IRON AND STEEL, AND IN FURNACES OR APPARATUS CONNECTED
THEREWITH, THE SAME BEING IN PART APPLICABLE TO OTHER PURPOSES.”
Sealed the 29th June 1877, and dated the 3rd April 1877.
Sealed the 29th June 1877, and dated the 3rd April 1877.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said William Gorman at the Office
of the Commissioners of Patents on the 3rd April 1877.
WILLIAM GORMAN, of Glasgow, in the County of Lanark, North Britain, Engineer,
"IMPROVEMENTS IN THE MANUFACTURE OF IRON AND STEEL, AND IN FURNACES
OR APPARATUS CONNECTED THEREWITH, THE SAME BEING IN PART APPLICABLE TO
OTHER PURPOSES."
This Invention, which relates to certain improvements in the manufacture of iron
and steel, is also, in so far as it has reference to the production of gas and coke, used
in the said manufacturo as herein-after described, applicable for the production of
gas and coke for other purposes.
In treating coal according to this Invention, so as to obtain therefrom coke more
free from sulphur and other impurities, and gases better adapted for reducing ores
or for heating purposes than what are obtained under the methods of treating coal
usually employed, the coal is coked in an upright chamber, which is fitted at the
top with a cup and cone, or an equivalent opening and closing apparatus, and air
(by preference highly heated) is passed in at the top and down through the mass of
coal, so that the hydrogen gas and sulphur, if contained in the coal, are burned and
produce heat for expelling the volatile gases, and as each piece of coal is exposed to
the oxygen of the air the sulphur and other volatile matters are more effectually
and rapidly removed than they are by the process ordinarily practised. The coal is
supplied at the top from time to time, and the coke removed at the bottom of the
chamber. The gases are withdrawn at a level above that from which the coke is.
withdrawn, but the chamber is made of sufficient depth to insure that the oxygen

page_text: from the air and coal is supplied with the required carbon to form carbonic oxide
gas. The solid and gaseous parts of the coal are thus separated, and each may be
used for the purpose for which it is best adapted, but the solid carbon of the coal may
also be converted into volatile gas by providing a chamber of sufficient depth for the
coke, so that by supplying air at or near the bottom carbonic oxide gas may be
produced through a partial combustion of the solid carbon by the air passing
upwards through the coke. The whole combustible parts of the coal are thus con-
verted into permanent gases (carbonic oxide and hydrogen) suitable for reducing
ores or for combustion, and as they may be cooled or heated without depositing tar
or carbon they may be conveyed to a distance, and used for heating regenerative
or other furnaces or fires, as required.
A coking or converting chamber, such as that above referred to, may be connected
with another upright chamber or chambers for reducing ores, the hot reducing gases
being led in from near the bottom of the converting chamber to near the bottom of
the reducing chamber or chambers to pass up amongst the ores for their reduction,
and thus coal may be coked and ores reduced in connection, that is to say, in a
combined apparatus in an economical manner.
After being used for reducing ores the aforesaid gases may be led from the
reducing into other chambers, and being supplied with air for combustion they may be
used for calcining ores, burning limestone, heating air, raising steam, or for any other
required purpose.
In smelting ores under one mode of working a blast furnace, according to this
Invention, the top part of the blast furnace is adapted for coking the coal used, by
providing outlets for the gases produced at such a depth from the top as to permit
of the coal being coked in the manner above referred to. These outlets or ports
open into an annular chamber surrounding the exterior of the furnace lining; this
chamber may be carried up to the top of the furnace, and it may also be divided by
upright walls into a series of chambers corresponding to the number of outlets.
The top of the furnace and annular chamber or chainbers are fitted with a bell
and cone or equivalent apparatus for opening and closing the furnace. The coal,
orc, and flux are filled into the furnace in the usual manner, that is to say, into the
central or main compartment, and air is blown into the furnace at the top down
through the materials in this compartment, so as to burn part of the volatile gases
of the coal for the purpose of coking the coal, and heating the materials; the
resulting gases unite with those arising from the blast introduced at the tuyeres,
and pass out of the furnace barrel into the annular chamber or chambers by the
outlets or ports, from whence they may be led away for reducing ores, raising steam,
heating blast, or for any other purpose to which they are adapted.
Under a modified mode of working a blast furnace, according to this Invention,
the orcs and flux or part thereof may be filled into the annular chamber or chambers
surrounding the central compartment, the ports leading from which into the furnace
are constructed so as to allow a free passage for the ores and flux into the furnace,
and of the gases both from the upper and lower parts of the furnace into the annular
chamber or chambers, which gases in passing up through the ores and flux, when
contained in the said chamber or chambers, assist in heating and reducing the said
ores and flux before they enter the barrel of the furnace.
In order to increase the power and efficiency of the blast furnaces the hot reducing
gases may be led therefrom into chambers arranged contiguously, into which tho
ores are placed and there reduced previous to their being filled into the annular
chamber or chambers of the blast furnace, and the gases escaping from such annular
or reducing chambers may be further utilized, as herein-before provided for, or they
may be revived so as to be available for heating reverberatory furnaces, for producing
or working iron or steel, or other purposes by being passed through a column or
stratum of heated coke, so as to produce carbonic oxide from the carbonic acid
contained in such gases.
The above converting and reducing chambers may also be used in connection
5

page_text: withfurnaces for puddling iron, or for producing steel, the reduced ores being
conveyed directly from the reducing chamber to the puddling or steel producing
hearth.
In producing iron or steel direct from the ore, by this Invention, coking and
reducing chambers are erected and worked at a higher level than the working
hearth, and when the ores are reduced, and the coal coked as formerly referred to,
they are brought down to the hearth in such a way that the reduced ores are
surrounded with hot coke, upon which jets of air are projected to produce heat for
welding or smelting the reduced ores, so as to produce iron, steely iron, steel, or
cast iron, as desired.
In fusing metal by this Invention a coking or converting chamber, as formerly
described, is connected with one or more chambers, into which the metal to be
fused is placed, the bottom of which chamber or chambers open into the coking
chamber. The gases produced by coking the coal, as aforesaid, pass in amongst the
metal contained in the chambers above referred to, and they are there supplied with
air for their combustion, by which means the metal is heated before it sinks amongst
the coke at the bottom of the coking chamber, where it is completely fused by aid
of a blast of air supplied for the purpose.
The said apparatus may also be used for smolting ores, as well as for fusing
metals, the ores and flux in that case being placed in the chamber or chambers
provided for containing the metal to be fused, but as the ores require to be reduced
no air is supplied to consume the gases in the reducing chambers, but only to the
coke at the top and bottom of the coking chamber.
Heated air and the means usually employed for heating air or blast may be used,
as required, for any of the above-named operations.
In some cases a portion of the gases from the coking or reducing or annular
chamber or chambers above referred to are injected into the top part of the blast
furnace or coking or converting chamber above the coal or other contents by a jot
of air to produce heat, the products of combustion and gases from the fuel by their
passing down through the same being expelled through the outlets or ports of the
smelting furnace or coking chamber, as above referred to, so that by properly
proportioning the air and gases non-bituminous coal or coke or wood may be
treated advantageously in such chambers, or in the upper part of a blast furnace, as
above referred to.
SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed by
the said William Gorman in the Great Seal Patent Office on the 2nd October
1877.
WILLIAM GORMAN, of Glasgow, in the County of Lanark, North Britain, Engineer.
"IMPROVEMENTS IN THE MANUFACTURE OF IRON AND STEEL, AND IN FURNACES
OR APPARATUS CONNECTED THEREWITH, THE SAME BEING IN PART APPLICABLE TO
OTHER PURPOSES."
My said Invention which relates to certain improvements in the manufacture of
iron and steel, is also, in so far as it has reference to the production of gas and
coke used in the said manufacture, as herein-after described, applicable for the pro-
duction of gas and coke for other purposes.
In treating coal according to my said Invention so as to obtain therefrom coke
more free from sulphur and other impurities, as well as gases better adapted for
reducing ores or for heating purposes than what are obtained under the.methods of
treating coal usually employed, the coal is coked in an upright chamber, which is
fitted at the top with a cap and cone, or an equivalent opening and closing
apparatus, and air (by preference highly heated) is passed in at the top, and down
through the mass of coal, so that hydrogen gas and sulphur, if contained in the

page_text: coal, are burned, and produce heat for expelling the volatile gases, and as each piece
of coal is exposed to the oxygen of the air, the sulphur and other volatile matters
are more effectually and rapidly removed than they are by the process ordinarily
practised. The coal is supplied at the top from time to time, and the coke
removed at the bottom of the chamber. The gases are withdrawn at a level above
that from which the coke is withdrawn; but the chamber is made of sufficient
depth to insure that the oxygen is supplied with the required carbon to form
carbonic oxide gas. The solid and gaseous parts of the coal are thus separated, and
each may be used for the purpose for which it is best adapted. But the solid carbon
of the coal may also be converted into volatile gas by providing a chamber of
sufficient depth for the coke, so that by supplying air at or near the bottom, car-
bonic oxide gas may be produced through a partial combustion of the solid carbon,
by the air passing upwards through the coke. The whole combustible parts of the
coal are thus converted into permanent gases (carbonic, oxyde, and hydrogen) suit-
able for reducing ores or for combustion, and as they may be cooled or heated
without depositing tar or carbon they may be conveyed to a distance and used for
heating regenerative or other furnaces or fires, as required.
A coking or converting chamber, such as that above referred to, may be connected
with another upright chamber or chambers for reducing ores, the reducing gases
being led in from near the bottom of the converting chamber to near the bottoin of
the reducing chamber or chambers to pass up amongst the ores for their reduction,
and thus coal may be coked and ores reduced in connection, that is to say, in a
combined apparatus, in an economical manner.
After being used for reducing ores, the aforesaid gases may be led from the
reducing into other chambers, and, being supplied with air for combustion, they
may be used for calcining ores, burning limestone, heating air, raising steam, or for
any other required purpose.
In smelting ores under one mode of working a blast furnace, according to my
said Invention, the top part of the blast furnace is adapted for coking the coal used
by providing outlets for the gases produced at such a depth from the top as to
permit of the coal being coked, in the manner above referred to. These outlets or
ports open into an annular chamber surrounding the exterior of the furnace; this
chamber may be carried up to the top of the furnace, and it may also be divided
by upright walls into a series of chambers corresponding to the number of outlets.
The top of the furnace and annular chamber or chambers are fitted with a bell
and cone or equivalent apparatus for opening and closing the furnace. The coal ore
and flux are filled into the furnace in the usual manner, that is to say, into the
central or main compartment, and air is blown into the furnace at the top, down
through the materials in this compartment, so as to burn part of the volatile gases
of the coal, for the purpose of coking the coal and heating the materials. The
resulting gases unite with those arising from the blast introduced at the twyers, and
pass out of the furnace barrel into the annular chamber or chambers by the outlets
or ports, from whence they may be led away for reducing ores, raising steam,
heating blast, or for any other purpose to which they are adapted.
Under a modified mode of working a blast furnace, according to this Invention,
the ores and flux or part thereof may be filled into the annular chamber or cham-
bers surrounding the central compartment, the ports leading from which into the
furnace are constructed so as to allow a free passage for the ores and flux into the
furnace, and of the gases both from the upper and lower parts of the furnace into
the annular chamber or chambers, which gases, in passing up through the ores and
flux when contained in the said chamber or chambers, assist in heating and reducing
the said ores and flux before they enter the barrel of the furnace.
In order to increase the power and efficiency of blast furnaces, the hot reducing
gases may be led therefrom into chambers arranged contiguously, into which the
ores are placed, and there reduced previous to their being filled into the annular
chamber or chambers of the blast furnace, and the gases escaping from such
4

page_text: educing chambers may be further utilized, as herein-before provided for, or they
may be revived so as to he available for heating reverberatory furnaces for pro-
lucing or working iron or steel or other purposes, by being passed through a
column or stratum of heated coke, so as to produce carbonic oxide from the carbonic
cid contained in such gasos.
The converting and reducing chambers, heroin-before described, may also be used
in connection with furnaces for puddling iron or for producing steel, the reduced
ores being convoyed directly from the reducing chamber to the puddling or steel
producing hearth or convertor.
In producing iron or steel direct from the ore by this Invention, coking and
reducing chambers are erected and worked at a higher level than the working
hearth, and when the ores are reduced and the coal coked, as herein-before referred
to, they are brought down to the hearth in such a way that the reduced ores are
surrounded with hot coke, upon or into which jets of air are projected to produce
heat for welding or smelting the reduced ores, so as to produce iron, steely iron,
steel, or cast iron, as desirou.
In fusing metal by this Invention, a coking or converting chamber as herein-
before described is connected with one or more chambers into which the metal to be
fused is placed, the bottom of which chamber or chambers opens into the coking
chamber. The gases produced by coking the coal as aforesaid pass in amongst the
inetal contained in the chambers above referred to, and they are there supplied with
air for their combustion, by which means the metal is heated before it sinks
amongst the coke at the bottom of the coking chamber, where it is completely fused
by aid of a blast of air supplied for the purpose.
The said apparatus may also be used for smelting orcs, as well as for fusing
metals, the ores and flux in that case being placed in the chamber or chambers
provided for containing the metal to be fused, but as the ores require to be reduced
no air is supplied to consume the gases in the reducing chambers, but only to the
coke at the top and bottom of the coking chamber.
Heated air and the means usually employed for heating air or blast may be used,
as required, for any of the above-named operations.
In some cases a portion of the gases from the coking or reducing or annular
chamber or chambers above referred to are injected into the top part of a blast
furnace or coking or converting chamber above the coal or other contents by a jet of
air to produce heat; the products of combustion and the gases from the fuel, by thus
passing down through the same, being expelled through the outlets or ports of the
smelting furnace or coking chamber, as above referred to, so that by properly propor-
tioning the air and gases, non-bituminous coal or coke or wood may be treated advan-
tageously in such chambers, or in the upper part of a blast furnace, as above referred to.
And in order that iny said Invention may be properly understood I now proceed
more particularly to set forth the system, mode, or manner in or under which the
same is or may be used or practically carried into effect, reference being had to the
annexed Sheets of Drawings and to the letters and Figures marked thereon, that is
to say,
On Sheet 1 Figure 1 is a vertical section of the apparatus for converting both
the solid and gaseous portions of coal or wood into gases which are suited for the
reduction of ores, or for the production of heat by their combustion; Figure 2 is a
horizontal section of the same on the line a, a, Figure 1; Figure 3, another trans-
verse section on the line b, b, Figure 1; and Figure 4, a plan thereof.
The materials to be converted into gas and coke or into gas entirely, namely, coal,
wood, or other carbonaceous matter, are filled into the main chamber A by opening
the charging valve C at the top. The chamber A is at all times by preference kept
as full as practicable of the materials. The bottom of the chamber A is provided
with grates D and doors E, to enable tools to be passed in from time to time for
5 clearing the same. The grates D also admit a supply of air for the purpose of
partially burning the solid parts of the wood, coal, or other carbonaceous material.

page_text: When the gas is to be conveyed to a distance, or through materials, or has to resist
the pressure of the atmosphere, the doors E are closed and air is blown in with the
requisite force through the openings F; air is also blown in at the top of the
chamber A through the space and openings G. This supply of air at the top of the
chamber A burns the more oxidisable part of the gases of the fuel in the first
instance, and as the products of combustion are forced downwards through the fuel,
they are thereby reduced and converted into combustible or reducing gases, and
pass out by the openings H into the annular flue H'. The gaseous products of
combustion arising from the lower part of the materials, or that portion resting
directly upon the grates D, also in passing through the materials immediately above
then, consisting mainly of highly-heated coke, are also converted into carbonic oxide,
which also escapes into the annular flue H¹, being mixed with the gases descending
and entering thereinto from the upper part of the chamber A. From the annular
flue H¹ the gases are conveyed by the main H2 to apparatus for reducing ores, for
producing heat, or for other required purposes.
The apparatus now described may be modified, so that it may be used for
carbonising coal or wood, so as to obtain the coke or charcoal separate from the
reducing gases produced from the volatile parts thereof, by providing a close inclined
bottom in lieu of the fire grates D, as shown by the dotted lines in Figure 1, and
enlarging the doorways E. The coal or wood to be carbonised is filled into
the chamber A, and being kindled and having air blown down through it, the
resulting gases pass into the flues H, H', to be further used, as above provided for.
The coke or charcoal are removed by the doorways E, E, from time to time, as
required.
Ores and flux, such as limestones, may also be filled into the apparatus modified
as now last described, and treated together with the coal and wood, so that the
materials required in smelting may be deprived of their gaseous parts and rendered
suitable for use in a blast furnace or refining hearth. The reduced ores, flux, and
coke are removed by the doors E, E, to such furnaces or hearths, and the resulting
gases pass away by the flucs H, H', for further utilization.
The apparatus as now last modified may be employed for reducing ores by gases
produced as herein-before described, or by gases from the blast furnaces herein-after
described. When so employed the gases are introduced to the chamber A by the
flue H, H¹, and pass inwards and upwards through the materials for their reduction
or calcination, as required, the spent gases escaping by the ports at the top through
which the air enters when the apparatus is used for producing gases, as herein-
before described; but those ports are in this case enlarged, so that the gases may
escape more freely; the ores to be reduced are filled in at the top and withdrawn
when reduced through the doorways at the bottom.
4
The gases escaping from this apparatus are combustible, and may be employed for
calcining ores or roasting limestones, which are filled together or separately into
another similar apparatus, but as the gases are completely burned in this operation
the apparatus may be open at the top, like an ordinary limekiln. The gases are
taken from the top of the above-described reducing apparatus, or from other source
of their supply, and introduced into this calcining apparatus by the annular flue
and openings H, H³, and are supplied with air for combustion either through the
bottom doors or otherwise, as desired; the calcined ores or lime are removed by the
doors E, E, and the spent gases escape by the top. Gases may thus be led from a
blast furnace, or from any carbonising or gas-producing apparatus herein-before
described into a reducing apparatus, and thence to a calcining apparatus, and the 5
ores and flux may be charged raw into the roasting or calcining apparatus, and after
they are roasted or calcined the ores may be put through the reducing apparatus,
and from thence into the smelting furnace or hearth. By this arrangement the
materials are operated upon in a continuous and economical manner.
Figure 5, Sheet 1, is a vertical section of a blast furnace, showing the top part 5
arranged after the manner of the gas and coke producing apparatus herein-before

page_text: described with reference to Figures 1 to 4, Sheet 1; Figure 6 is a plan of Figure 5;
and Figure 7, a horizontal section on the line a, a, Figure 5, Sheet 1, respectively.
The part marked A constitutes the chamber wherein the carbonaceous matter or
fuel is converted into coke and reducing gases.
The whole of the materials, namely, ores, flux, and fuel, constituting the charge
to be smelted, are in this case charged in the ordinary manner by the conical valves
E at the top of the furnace. Heated air is supplied by the pipe and nozzle C', and
the fuel ignited. The gases resulting from the action of this heated air upon the
materials in the chainber A, as well as those rising from the twyers, escape by the
outlet ports D, from which they are carried off for utilization by the flue or duct H¹.
In the example of a blast furnace on Sheet 2 of the Drawings, the outlets D com-
municate with long chambers D¹, united at the top with a large annular flue E,
which is provided with charging valves F, as shown in dotted lines at Figure 1, and
in plan at Figure 2, Sheet 2, for the purpose of enabling ore and flux to be charged
into them, so that the ore and flux, or part thereof, may be charged into the chamber
D', the fuel, orc, and flux to be so charged into the centre and side chambers that
they will descend the furnace supplied with fuel in proper proportions for smelting
in the usual manner. The gases are collected in the annular flue E, and are carried
off for being utilised by the duct H¹.
The Figures on Sheet 3 of the appended Drawings illustrate a modified form or
arrangement of a smelting or fusing furnace constructed in accordance with my said
Invention. Of these Figures, Figure 1 is a vertical section, showing the arrange-
ments of the interior of the Furnace; Figure 2, another vertical section at right
angles to Figure 1; Figure 3, a plan; Figure 4, a horizontal section on the line a, a,
Figure 1; Figure 5, a horizontal section on the line b, b, Figures 1 and 2; and
Figure 6, another horizontal section on the line c, c, Figures 1 and 2. The chamber
A is that into which the coal, wood, or other fuel is charged; this chamber is pro-
vided with a charging valve B, and air (by preference heated) is supplied through
the passages C; the coke or charcoal descends from the chamber A to the hearth,
where it is burned by the blast forced in through twyers at D, and the gases
resulting therefrom, together with those descending from the chamber A, pass into
the side chambers E, where they are supplied with air through other twyers at F for
their complete combustion. The metal to be fused is charged into the chambers E,
through the doors G, and tapped from the hearth H, after the manner of tapping an
ordinary cupola. This arrangement of furnace, besides being used for melting or
fusing metal, may also be used for smelting ores and melting metals at one and the
same time. When so used, the ore, flux, and fuel are charged into the central
and
chamber A, and the metal, such as cast or pig iron into the side chambers E;
metal may also be charged with the fuel into the central chamber A.
When the furnace now last described is used for smelting ore only, the supply of
air through the twyers at F is cut off, and in order to utilise the escaping gases,
closing valves or doors are placed over the openings G, flues and ducts being pro-
vided for collecting and conveying the gases to where they are to be utilised. The
ores and flux, when the furnace is used for smelting alone, may be charged into all
the chambers A and E, but the fuel is charged into the central chamber A only.
On Sheet 4 of the appended Drawings are shown two forms of furnace con-
structed in accordance with my Invention, and adapted for producing iron directly
from the ores. Of these Figures Figure 1 is a transverse vertical section of the
furnace on the line a, a, Figure 2; Figure 2, another transverse section thereof on
the line b, b, Figure 1; Figure 3 is a horizontal section on the line c, c, Figures 1
and 2; Figure 4, another horizontal section on the line d, d, Figure 1; and Figure 5,
a plan. In working with this furnace, coal, wood, or other fuel is charged into the
chamber A, which, being ignited and supplied with air from the air ports B, at the
top, the resulting descending gases pass through the openings Cinto the chamber D,
whereunto the ores are charged, and the gases, after having reduced the ores in
the chamber D, pass off by the flue E, for further use, as required. The coke and

page_text: reduced ores resulting from this treatment are brought down through the openings
F, as required, into the hearth G, wherein the coke is burned by jets of air issuing
from the nozzles M, the iron thereby becoming heated, is then manipulated and
removed to be hammered or rolled as desired.
On this Sheet of Drawings is also shown another form of the apparatus adapted
for the production of iron direct from the ores, and in which the fuel, ores, and flux
are filled into the same chambers, and throughout treated together. Of these
Figures, Figure 6 is a vertical section of the furnace on the line a, a, Figure 7;
Figure 7, another vertical section on the line b, b, Figure 6; Figure 8, a horizontal
section on the line c, c, Figure 6; and Figure 9, a plan. In working with this
furnace, the fuel, ores, and flux are charged alternately or in rotation into each of
the chambers A, and wherein, after having air blown down through them in the
manner herein-before described with reference to the furnace illustrated on Sheet 1
of the Drawings, the reduced orcs, with the coke mixed therewith, are brought
down through the openings B into the hearth G, as required, when they are heated
and manipulated, and afterwards treated in the manner herein-before described in
reference to the furnace shown at Figures 1 to 5, Sheet 4 of the Drawings. The
gases produced in the operation are withdrawn through the passages and the flues H.
As in the chambers or furnaces herein-before described a considerable amount of
heat will be developed in the upper part; when they are used for converting the 2
substances or parts thereof contained in them into gas, or charcoal, or coke, it is
necessary to construct the charging apparatus either of refractory material or to
protect it therewith, or to make it hollow, as shown at the upper part of the blast
furnace, on Sheet 2 of the Drawings, thus enabling water to be circulated through
or evaporated therein, or the charging apparatus may have tubes or passages cast in 2
it through which water is allowed to run.
It is to be understood that the apparatus herein-before described may be made
of any suitable sections other than those of the examples shown on the annexed
Drawings.
Having now described and particularly ascertained the nature of my said 3
Invention, and the system, mode, or manner in or under which the same is or mny
be used or practically carried into effect, I would observe in conclusion that what I
consider to be novel and original, and therefore claim as the Invention secured to
me by the herein-before in part recited Letters Patent is,―
First. The apparatus herein-before described and shown at Figures 1 to 4, Sheet 13
of the Drawings, for holding the materials for producing combustible or reducing
gases, coke, and charcoal, or for reducing ores and roasting limestones, or for the
purpose of calcination, and consisting of chambers provided at the top with
charging apparatus and means for enabling air to be blown down through the
materials, or when gases are blown up through them provided with ducts for with-
drawing the surplus gases, and with flues leading from the lower part thereof for
enabling gases to be withdrawn from or passed into the same, according to the
operation for which the said chambers are used, and having open grates or closed
inclined bottoms substantially as set forth.
Second. The production of combustible and reducing gases and coke, or charcoal 4
from coal, wood, or other carbonaceous substances by passing air (preferably heated)
down through the said substances, the said substances being contained in my cham-
bers or apparatus as herein-before described.
Third. Reducing ores and roasting limestones by the heat and gases produced
from the carbonisation of coal, wood, or other matter, the said operations being 50
conducted in my chambers or apparatus, and in either manner substantially as
herein-before described.
Fourth. Blast furnaces constructed with chambers and flues and means for blowing
in air at the upper part, whereby the gaseous products of the fuel, ores, and flux,
are converted into reducing gases and utilized in either manner herein-before 5
set forth, and as shown at Figures 5 to 7, Sheet 1, and 1 to 5, Sheet 2, of the
appended Drawings.

page_text: Fifth. The furnaces or hearths shown at Sheets 3 and 4 of the appended Drawings
for the production of gases and coke, or charcoal, provided with chambers and their
connections at the top for the purpose of the direct production of iron, or for fusing
metals, substantially as herein-before described.
In witness whereof, I, the said William Gorman, have hereunto set my hand
and seal, this Twenty-ninth day of September, One thousand eight hundred
and seventy-seven.
WILLIAM GORMAN. (L.S.)