Improvements in Apparatus applicable to Steam Boilers for . Economising Fuel, the Consumption of Smoke, and for Preventing the Formation of "Clinkers" on the Fire Bars of such Boilers.
Year: 1890

page_text: Date of Application, 23rd Dec., 1890
Complete Specification Left, 9th Mar., 1891--Accepted, 18th Apr., 1891
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Apparatus applicable to Steam Boilers for .
Economising Fuel, the Consumption of Smoke, and for
Preventing the Formation of "Clinkers" on the Fire Bars of
such Boilers.
JOHN LOWE MITTON, Kidsgrove, Staffordshire, Gas Works Manager, do hereby
declare the nature of this invention to be as follows:-
To carry my invention into practice for economising fuel, I place one or more
tubes of any suitable shape and size in and through the side walls of the settings of
steam boilers, this tube or tubes in the case of an egg-ended boiler I cause to pass
adjacent to the back of the fire bridge of such boilers, and return along the inside
of the furnace and downwards into the ash-pit, the inner ends a few inches beneath
the fire grate bending upwards at a slight inclination towards each other, so that
the cold air entering the tubes or pipes, will in passing through them become heated,
and in passing out from the outlet ends of such tubes which are opposite each other
and a short distance apart, the two or more streams of heated air will impinge
against each other, spread beneath the fire-grate, and enter the fire by passing
upwards between the fire-bars.
For economising fuel, consuming smoke, and preventing the formation of clinkers
on the fire bars of steam boilers, in addition to the above pipes or tubes, I fix one
end of a small bore pipe into and through the top of the boiler above the steam
space, or in and through any suitable part of the steam dome, such pipe I carry
along outside the top or side of the boiler, and a short distance down the front of
the boiler, where I connect it to a cross, or branch pipe having two contracted
outlets (when two air supply pipes are used) fitted or fixed within the said hot air
supply pipes a few inches outside the ash-pit which is kept closed, one or more taps,
cocks or other suitable appliances being fitted on or to the said branch pipe for
regulating the amount of steam passing into the heated air supply pipes, or I may
use a separate steam pipe for cach hot air supply pipe, instead of using a branch
pipe. It will thus be seen that by means of the cocks or taps I can admit steam
from the boiler into the said heated air tubes for increasing the flow or supply of
heated air beneath the grate.
I fix my improved apparatus to Lancashire, Cornish or the like boilers in a
somewhat similar manner to the foregoing description in connection with egg-ended
boilers.
Dated this 22nd day of December 1890.
JOHN NEWTON,
Agent for Applicant.
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Apparatus applicable to Steam Boilers for
Economising Fuel, the Consumption of Smoke, and for
Preventing the Formation of "Clinkers" on the Fire Bars of
such Boilers.
JOHN LOWE MITTON, Kidsgrove, Staffordshire, Gas Works Manager, 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 :-
The object of my invention is to economise fuel, consume smoke, and to con-
siderably reduce the amount of "clinkers" forming on the fire bars of steam

page_text: boilers. By the use of my invention, a more efficient result can be obtained from
an inferior quality of fuel.
To carry my invention into practice for economising fuel, I place one or more
tubes of any suitable shape and size in and through the side walls of the setting of
such boilers in any suitable position or positions, this tube or tubes in the case of an
egg-ended boiler I cause to pass adjacent to the back of the fire-bridge of such
boiler, and run along the inside of the furnace, to-and through the front wall of the
boiler setting, and from thence downwards into the ash pit a suitable distance, the
inner ends of the said tubes a few inches beneath the fire grate bending upwards at
an inclination towards each other, so that the cold air which enters the tubes or
pipes in each side wall of the boiler setting, will in passing through them become
heated, and in passing out from the outlet ends of such tubes which are opposite
each other, and a short distance apart beneath the fire-grate, the two or more
streams of heated air will impinge against each other, causing the said air to spread
beneath the fire-grate, and enter the fire by passing upwards between the fire bars.
For consuming smoke, economising fuel, and to reduce the amount of "clinker"
forming on the fire-bars of such steam boilers, in addition to such pipes or tubes
for conveying air to the underside of the grate, I fix one end of a small bore
pipe into and through the top of the boiler to which the apparatus is applied,
above the steam space, or in and through any suitable part of the steam dome of
such boilers, such pipe I carry along outside the top or side of the boiler, to the
front end of the boiler, and a short distance down the front of the boiler, where I
connect it to a cross or branch pipe of about the same diameter having two con-
tracted outlets, which said contracted outlets I fit or fix within the said air supply
pipes at a suitable distance outside the ash-pit, which said ash-pit while the boiler
is in use for generating steam I keep closed. One or more taps, cocks, valves or
other suitable appliances being fitted on or to the said pipe-or-branch_pipes, by
which the amount of steam passing into the air supply pipes may be automatically
controlled or regulated for increasing or diminishing the supply of air beneath the
fire-bars.
The said air supply and steain tubes I fix or attach to Lancashire, Cornish or
the like steam boilers or generators in a somewhat similar manner to the foregoing
description in connection with egg-ended boilers.
In order that my invention may be more readily understood and explained in
_detail I have hereunto annexed a sheet of drawings on which letters of reference
are marked on corresponding parts on all the figs-alike.
DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS.
Fig. 1 is a front elevation of an egg-ended boiler in its setting, shewing-one-way
of arranging the air and steam supply tubes in connection therewith.
Fig. 2 is a plan view of a part of the boiler and its setting, shewn in front
elevation at Fig. 1.
Fig. 3. is a front elevation of a Cornish boiler in its setting, which setting is
partly in section, shewing one way of arranging the air and steam supply pipes in
connection therewith.
Fig. 4. is a plan view of a part of the boiler and its setting, shewn in front
elevation at Fig. 3.
At Figs. 1 and 2, a represents-the-front-end_of_an_egg-ended boiler or steam
generator, resting on its setting b. The air supply pipe c passes through the left-
hand side wall of the setting b, behind and adjacent to the fire-bridge e where it
bends at about right angles thereto, and runs contiguous to the side of and through
the furnace, to and through the front wall of the boiler setting, where it is turned
downward a short distance, and is carried a suitable distance through the front wall
of the setting into the ash pit and beneath the fire-bars, where the outlet end c² of
the said supply pipe or tube c is turned upward.
The air supply pipe d passes through the right hand side wall 3 of the setting.b,
behind and adjacent to the fire bridge e, where it is bent at about right angles

page_text: thereto, and runs adjacent to the side of, and through the furnace f, to and through
the front wall of the boiler setting where it is turned downward a short distance,
and is carried a suitable distance through the front wall of the setting to the under-
side of the fire-bars, where the outlet end of the said air supply pipe or tube is
turned upward as shewn, so that the outlet ends c² and d² of the respective air
supply pipes c and d are opposite each other a short distance apart beneath the fire
grate or bars. One end of a pipe or tube is fixed into and through the top of the
boiler, which said pipe g is carried along the top of the boiler to its front end, and
a suitable distance down the front of same, where it is connected to a cross or
branch pipe by any suitable means, the outlet ends of which branch pipe are
reduced in size, and fitted or fixed within the air supply pipes at a suitable distance
outside the ash-pit " by screwing, soldering or other suitable means.
A tap, cock, valve or other suitable appliance i being fitted or fixed on, or to each
of the arms or branches of the pipe g by which the amount of steam passing into
and through the air supply pipes c and d may be automatically controlled or
regulated.
It will be easily understood that by opening or closing the cocks or valves i, more
or less steam can be admitted from the boiler, through the pipe y and its branches h
into the pipes or tubes c, d where they enter the ash-pit, for increasing or diminishing
the supply of heated air and steam to the underside of the fire bars.
At Figs. 3 and 4, a represents the front end of a Cornish or single flue boiler or
steam generator resting on a setting b. The air supply pipe e passes through the
left hand side wall of the setting b, across the side flue at about right angles
j
thereto, adjacent to and along the outside of the boiler within the said side flue to
and through the front wall of the setting where it is turned upward at an angle,
and enters the ash-pit beneath the fire-bars, where the outlet end of the said air
supply tube c is turned upward.
The air supply pipe & passes through the right hand side wall 3 of the setting b,
across the side flue at about right angles thereto, adjacent to and along the out-
side of the boiler within the said side flue, to and through the front wall of the
setting, where it is turned upward at an angle, and enters the ash-pit beneath
the fire bars, where the outlet end d² of the said air supply tube d is turned upward,
so that the outlet ends c and d of the said air supply tubes or pipes c and d are
opposite each other, but a short distance apart beneath the fire-bars.
One end of a pipe or tube g is fixed into and through the top of the boiler, which
pipe is carried along the top of the said boiler to its front end, and a short distance
down the front of same, where it is connected to a cross or branch pipe by any
suitable means, the outlet ends of which branch pipe are reduced in size, and
fitted or fixed a short distance within the air supply pipes at a suitable distance
outside the ash pit by screwing, soldering or other suitable means, the said
ash pit while the boiler is in use for generating steam is kept closed or covered.
A tap, cock, valve or other suitable appliance being fitted or fixed on, or to
each branch pipe h, by which the amount of steam passing into and through the air
supply pipes c and d may be controlled or regulated.
It will be easily understood that by opening or closing the said cocks or valves i,
more or less steam can be admitted from the boiler, through the pipe g and its
branches into the pipes or.tubes c, d, for increasing or diminishing the supply of
heated air to the underside of the fire-bars.
When steam is used to increase the supply of heated air beneath the fire bars, it
will be understood that a mixture of air and steam is caused to enter the fire by
passing upward between the fire-bars.
When the cocks, valves or taps i are closed or turned off, it will be understood
that air alone will enter the pipes or tubes c, d, and in its passage through the said
pipes become heated, and when emerging from the outlet end c² of the pipe c beneath
the fire grate will impinge against the heated air issuing from the outlet end d² of
the pipe d, thus causing the said heated air to spread beneath the fire bars, and
enter the fire by passing upward between the fire bars.

page_text: By using heated air in the manner described, I am enabled to economise fuel,
and reduce the amount of smoke. By using steam from the boiler, on or to which
the air supply pipes are fitted or fixed, or from a separate boiler or steam generator,
in conjunction with the streams of heated air, I not only economise fuel, and reduce
the amount of smoke, but I also considerably reduce the formation of "clinkers
on the fire bars of such boilers or steain generators.
"
The aforementioned pipes c, d, g and h, and cocks or valves i may be made of or
from metal or other suitable material or materials.
When air and steam supply pipes or tubes are fitted, fixed or arranged in
connection with Lancashire or double flued boilers or steam generators there would
be four air supply pipes, that is to say two air supply pipes or tubes to each flue,
and the contracted end of a steam conducting pipe or tube fitted or fixed a short
distance within each of the air supply tubes, a suitable distance outside the ash-pit
of each flue, where each of the said air supply tubes enter the ash-pits, for the
purpose of increasing the supply of heated air to the under side of the fire bars.
The said air supply, and steam tubes or pipes bearing the same proportional size
one to the other as illustrated on the drawings hereunto annexed at Figs. 1 and 2
in connection with egg-ended boilers or steam generators, and at Figs. 3 and 4 in
connection with Cornish and Lancashire boilers or steam generators.
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 I
claim is :-
1st. The combination and application in connection with egg-ended boilers or
steam generators; of one or more air conducting tubes or pipes of suitable length,
shape and size, one end of which pass through each side-wall-of-the. setting, across
the side flues, adjacent to the back of the fire-bridge, contiguous to the inside,
and through the furnace- and front wall-of-setting, into the ash-pit a suitable
distance beneath the fire bars of such boilers or steam generators, where-the
outlet ends of such air conducting pipes or tubes are inclined upward toward
each other, for the purpose of causing the heated air issuing from each of the
outlet ends of such tubes or pipes, to impinge against each other, spread beneath
the fire bars or grate, and enter the fire by passing upward between the fire
bars, the supply-of-heated_air_being increased by means of steam taken from the
boiler to which the air supply tubes or pipes, are fitted, fixed or arranged in
-connection with, and conducted through a pipe or pipes, the contracted ends of
which pipes are fitted or fixed into each of the air supply pipes, at a suitable
distance outside the ash-pit of the boiler, for the purpose of economising fuel,-con-
suming smoke, and reducing the amount of clinkers forming on the fire bars or
grates of such steam boilers or steam generators, as hercin substantially described
and set forth. One mode of arranging such air and steam supply or conducting
tubes in connection with an egg-ended boiler or steam generator, being illustrated at
Figs. 1 and 2 of the drawings hereunto annexed.
2ndly. The combination and application in connection with Cornish or Lancashire
boilers or steam generators of one or more air conducting tubes or pipes of
-suitable-length, shape and size, one end of which pass through each side wall of
the setting, across the side flues at-any-convenient angle, adjacent to and along
the outside of the boiler within the side flues of the setting, to and through-the-
front wall of the setting into the ash-pits, a suitable distance beneath the fire bars
or grates of such boilers, where the outlet ends of such air conducting tubes or pipes
are inclined upward toward each other, for the purpose of causing the heated air
issuing from each of the outlet ends of such tubes or pipes to impinge against each
other, spread beneath the fire bars or grate, and enter the fire by passing upwards
between the fire bars, the supply of heated air being increased by means of steam
taken from the boiler, to which the air supply tubes are fitted, fixed or arranged
in connection with, the steam being conducted by a pipe or pipes, the contracted
ends of which pipes are fitted or fixed one into each of the air supply pipes at a

page_text: suitable distance outside the ash-pit of such boilers, for the purpose of economising
fuel, consuming smoke, and reducing the amount of clinkers forming on the fire bars
or grates of such steam boilers or steam generators as herein substantially described
and set forth. One mode of arranging such air and steam supply or conducting
tubes in connection with a Cornish or single flue steam boiler or steam generator
being illustrated at Figs. 3 and 4 of the drawings hereunto annexed.
Dated this 7th day of March 1801
JOHN NEWTON,
Agent for Applicant.