IMPROVEMENTS IN APPARATUS FOR THE DISTILLATION AND TREATMENT OF COAL AND OTHER CARBONACEOUS MATTERS TO OBTAIN VALUABLE PRODUCTS THEREFROM"
Year: 1882

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to George Robertson Hislop of Paisley in the County of ..
Renfrew North Britain Gas Engineer for an Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN
APPARATUS FOR THE DISTILLATION AND TREATMENT OF COAL AND OTHER
CARBONACEOUS MATTERS TO OBTAIN VALUABLE PRODUCTS THEREFROM"
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said George Robertson Hislop
at the Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 3rd November 1882.
GEORGE ROBERTSON HISLOP, of Paisley, in the County of Renfrew, North
Britain, Gas Engineer, "IMPROVEMENTS IN APPARATUS FOR THE DISTILLATION AND
TREATMENT OF COAL AND OTHER CARBONACEOUS MATTERS TO OBTAIN VALUABLE
PRODUCTS THEREFROM.
This Invention has for its object to effect, by means of improved arrangements
of apparatus, the distillation and subsequent treatment of cannel coal, common
coal, shale, dross, wood, peat and similar cabonaceous matters or of such ironstones
as are capable of yielding volatile matters, for the purpose of obtaining therefrom
the largest possible amount of valuable gaseous and liquid products, and to utilise
the residual ash or waste products of distillation.
The Invention comprises (1) a novel arrangement and combination of horizontal
with vertical or inclined retorts hereinafter described and distinguished as
"primary" and "secondary" retorts, which are employed respectively for the
distillation of the coal or other carbonaceous matters, to obtain illuminating and
heating gases and other products, and for the treatment of the coke resulting from
the distillation, to obtain ammonia and an additional production of heating gases;
(2) Means for separating the illuminating gases from the heating gases and
ammonia or other gaseous products resulting from such treatment; (3) Noval
arrangements and means for treating incandescent coke separated from primary
retorts, for the production of aminonia; (4) Noval arrangements of regenerativo
apparatus for heating air and superheating steam used in connection with primary
and secondary retorts; and (5) the treatment and utilization of the residual ash or
waste products from retorts.

page_text: In carrying ont the Invention, the coal or other carbonaceous matter is first
subjected to distillation in ordinary gas retorts herein termed "primary retorts,"
which are preferably arranged the one over the other horizontally and in such a
manner that when the volatile products have been evolved, the residual coke may
be readily discharged into vertical or inclined retorts in front at a lower level and
herein termed "secondary retorts." In the process of distillation in the "primary
retorts, such a temperature is maintained as may be found to yield the best
commercial results with the different materials employed, and depending on
whether the resulting gas or gases are to be employed for illuminating or heating
purposes; but generally, although not always, the temperatures will be lower than
those employed in ordinary gas-making, but at the same time much higher than
that requisite for the manufacture of paraffin oil (unless when paraffin oil is desired
as a product) the object being to produce illuminating or heating gas or both, and
to produce ordinary coal tar which shall be rich in naphtha and benzol, or mineral
oil as the case may be, and to obtain the largest amount of ammonia. The same
liquid products are collected by means of hydraulic main, condensers, and scrubber,
as is usual in gas and oil works, and the gas may be passed through oxide of iron
or lime or both, to absorb the impurities, depending on whether the gas is to be
used for illuminating or heating purposes. If for the latter, hydrated peroxide of
iron only would be necessary to collect and utilize the sulphur.
The vertical or inclined "secondary retorts" are fitted on a floor lower than the
"primary retorts," and placed in front of the latter, the lower end being closed by
a door or sealed in water, and preferably in pairs.and. of any convenient.form, but
by preference oblong surrounded by suitable heating flues, so as to thoroughly
heat the material through, from the sides to the centre, each retort being of such
dimensions as shall contain the spent charge from one or several primary retorts,
but preferably from two. Thus cach pair or group of secondary retorts are made
to contain the spent charge or residual coke from-each-double pair of the primary
retorts on the upper floor. When the residual coke is exhausted it falls through
bars or otherwise into a water seal or on an inclined plane through front door.
The said "secondary retorts are maintained at a considerable temperature and
as high as is found consistent with durability and the speedy treatment of the coke
therein for the purposes after named. So soon as the incandescent coke has
descended by gravity from the primary into the secondary or vertical retorts, the
latter are closed at the mouth by a suitable door or cover, when the primary retorts
are immediately thereafter again charged with the raw coal or inaterial. The
incandescent coke in the secondary retorts is subjected to treatment by superheated
steam which is introduced into the lower end of the retort and made to pass
through the same, when by a well known chemical reaction, the nitrogen of the
coke unites with the hydrogen resulting from the decomposition of the steam to
form ammonia. The ammonia is collected directly by passing the gases produced
through an acid saturator, or by passing through a condenser and scrubber as in
gas manufacture, and the heating gases are passed on therefrom to the gas-holder
or compensator to be mixed with the gases from the primary retorts or otherwise,
or passed directly to the combustion furnace or furnaces.
The gases from the secondary retorts, as also from the primary retorts; may be
passed through hydrated peroxide of iron to remove sulphuretted hydrogen before
passing through the saturator or into the compensator. In addition to the compact
and convenient character of the arrangements described, great advantage and
economy are secured by the treatment of the incandescent coke in separate or
secondary retorts, as the amount and value of the ammonia obtained by treatment
therein can always be accurately ascertained, and during treatment simple tests
can be applied to ascertain the condition of the charge, or when it is spent, and at
same time as the products from said secondary retorts contain no tarry matters,
the ammonia may be more directly converted into sulphate or other salts of
ammonia.
The superheated steam required for the treatment of the coke in the secondary

page_text: retorts is first generated in an ordinary steam boiler, and is subsequently carried
by pipes through a course of winding horizontal flues through which the products
of combustion from the furnaces of the primary and secondary retorts respectively
pass, these flues being built in and arched through the body of the brick work over
which the primary retorts are erected and placed intermediately between each pair
of secondary retorts for convenient access for repairs. The steam pipe or pipes
enter at the top of the flue and emergo at the bottom, and are so arranged that the
steam flows in the opposite direction to the products of combustion, and so gets
gradually heated as it approaches the furnace or furnaces from which the products
of combustion issue. On emerging from the heating flue, steam pipes branch to
right and left to deliver the steam into preferably the broad side of the secondary
retorts there placed.
The gases produced by distillation in the primary retorts (if not used for
illuminating purposes) together with these produced from the secondary retorts are
introduced and consumed in a suitable combustion furnace or furnaces constructed
under or to one side of the said primary and secondary retorts, but preferably
under the primary and to one side of the secondary retorts. In the latter case the
furnace is placed in the intermediate space between each pair of retorts, and in
front of the arched chamber containing the superheaters. Part of said. furnace or
furnaces of the primary and secondary retorts may or may not be furnished with
furnaco bars for the joint combustion or otherwise of solid. and gaseous fuel, and
for which a back and a front combustion chamber may be constructed.
In order to obtain heated air for supplying the said combustion furnaces, the
arched chamber containing the superheaters are made large enough to permit of a
hot air flue being built on either side of the flue in which the steam is superheated,
but separated from the latter by a wall or thin partition. Air is admitted through
boxes having adjusting doors placed near the centre of the series of Blues and
through boxes. It circulates through the upper half on its way to the combustion
chamber of the primary retorts, and from the centre lower boxes passes to the
combustion chambers of the secondary retorts, the quantity in cach case being
controlled by said adjusting doors or other doors.
After the nitrogen has been sufficiently discharged from the coke by the steam
in the secondary retorts, the residual coke may be freed from any ashes if necessary,
and either consumed in the retort, steam boiler, or other furnaces, or sold. But it
having been found that the ashes of certain coals, dross, and cannel coals, contain a
considerable per-centage of lime as well as silica, I in such a case, lay out the
residual coke referred to in mass or otherwise, and burn off the carbon, or place the
same in a suitable furnace with a similar object, and so collect the ashes, which I
grind in a pan mill or compound, and grind it with other substances, and thus
convert the same into a valuable mortar or cement, or for agricultural purposes.
The heat produced in reducing the coke to ashes may be utilized in the production
of steam for the secondary retorts, or for heating air or water, or for drying floors
for drying the coke and ashes withdrawn from the secondary retorts when a water
seal is employed or for other purposes. .

page_text: "
SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed by
the said George Robertson Hislop in the Great Seal Patent Office on the
2nd May 1883.
GEORGE ROBERTSON HISLOP, of Paisley in the County of Renfrew, North
Britain, Gas Engineer "IMPROVEMENTS IN APPARATUS FOR THE DISTILLATION AND
TREATMENT OF COAL AND OTHER CARBONACEOUS MATTERS TO OBTAIN VALUABLE
PRODUCTS THEREFROM,"
My said Invention has for its object to effect by means of improved arrangements
of apparatus, the distillation and subsequent treatment of cannel coal, common
coal, shale, dross, wood, peat and similar carbonaceous matters, or of such iron-
stones as are capable of yielding volatile matters, for the purpose of obtaining
therefrom the largest possible amount of valuable gaseous and liquid products, and
to utilise the residual ash or waste products of distillation.
The Invention comprises a novel arrangement and combination of horizontal
and vertical or inclined retorts hereinafter described and distinguished as
primary " and "secondary" retorts, which are employed respectively for the
distillation of the coal or other carbonaceous matters to obtain illuminating and
heating gases and other products, and for the treatment of the coke resulting from
the distillation to obtain ammonia and an additional production of heating gases;
means for separating the illuminating gases from the heating gases and aminonia
or other gaseous products resulting from such treatment; arrangements of apparatus
_ for treating incandescent coke separated from primary retorts, for the production
of ammonia; arrangements of regenerative apparatus-for heating air and super-
- heating steam used in connection with primary and secondary retorts; and the
treatment and utilization of the residual ash or waste products from retorts.
The Invention is illustrated by the accompanying Drawings in which figure 1
and 2 are respectively a vertical and a horizontal section of my improved apparatus,
the sections being taken at the lines 1-1 and 2-2 in each other. Figure 3 is a
vertical section taken as at the lines 3- -3 in figure 2. Figure 4 is a transverso
vertical section taken at the line 4-4 in figure 3. Figure 5 is a horizontal section
taken at the line 5--5 in figures 3 and 4; and figure 6 is a front elevation, and
figure 7 a back elevation.
The improved apparatus illustrated in the Drawings, comprises a series of
horizontal retorts A, A of the ordinary kind used for the production of gas from
coal, and a series of vertical retorts B, B, which are so located in relation to the
horizontal series, that the residual coke discharged at the doorways of the horizontal
retorts may drop or be readily delivered into the doorways of the vertical retorts.
The horizontal series of retorts A, A are built within an arched chamber C and are
supported by open arches C³, C³, beneath, as shown particularly in figure 3. The
vertical retorts B, B, are built within a chamber D in front of these arches C¹, and
both series of retorts A, B, are heated by the combustion of gas mixed with air
which has previously been heated by the escaping waste guses in regenerating flues
below the archways C¹.
In carrying out the Invention, the coal or other carbonaceous matter is first
subjected to distillation in the ordinary gas retorts A, A herein termed "primary
retorts," which are arranged in pairs, the one over the other horizontally, and in
such a manner that when the volatile products have been evolved, the residual
coke may be readily discharged into the vertical or inclined retorts B, B, in front
at a lower level and herein termed "secondary retorts." In the process of dis-
tillation in the "primary retorts" A, A, such a temperature is maintained as may

page_text: be found to yield the best commercial results with the different materials employed,
and depending on whether the resulting gas or gases are to be employed for
illuminating or heating purposes; but generally, although not always, the
temperatures will be lower than those employed in ordinary gas making, but at
the same time much higher than that requisite for the manufacture of paraffin oil
(unless when paraffin oil is desired as a product) the object being to produce
illuminating or heating gas or both, and to produce ordinary coal tar which shall
be rich in naphtha and benzol or mineral oil as the case may be, and to obtain the
largest amount of ammonia practicable. The products of the distillation in the
primary retorts A, A, pass by pipes E to a hydraulic main El, and the liquids are
collected by means of the hydraulic main, condensers and scrubber, as is usual in
gas and oil works. The gas may be passed through oxide of iron or lime or both,
to absorb the impurities depending on whether the gas is to be used for illuminating
or heating purposes. If for the latter, hydrated peroxide of iron only would be
necessary to collect and utilize the sulphur.
The vertical or inclined "secondary retorts" B, B, are fitted on a floor lower
than the "primary retorts," and are placed in front of the latter, the lower end
being closed by a door B2, or sealed in water. These retorts B, B, are arranged in
pairs of any convenient form, but by preference oblong, and surrounded by suitable
heating flues d, so as thoroughly to heat the material through from the sides of the
retorts to the centre, each retort being of such dimensions as shall contain the
spent charge from one or several primary retorts A A, but preferably from two.
Thus each pair or group of secondary retorts B B, are made to contain the spent
charge or residual coke from each double pair of the primary retorts A, A, on the
upper floor.
When the residual coke is exhausted it falls from the brickwork retorts B, B
into an iron chamber B¹ at the bottom, and passes through a front door B³. The
'secondary retorts" B, B, are maintained at a considerable temperature, and as
high as is found consistent with durability and the speedy treatment of the coko
therein for the purposes after-named. As soon as the incandescent coke has
descended by gravity from the primary into the secondary or vertical retorts, the
latter are closed at the mouth by a suitable door or cover B³, when the primary
retorts A, A are immediately thereafter again charged with the raw coal or
material. The incandescent coke in the secondary retorts B, B, is subjected to
treatment by super-heated steam which is introduced by steam pipes h into the
lower end or chamber B of each retort B, and made to pass through the same,
when by a well known chemical reaction, the nitrogen of the coke unites with
the hydrogen resulting from the decomposition of the steam to form ammonia.
The ammonia and heating gases generated in the secondary retorts B pass away
by a pipe F to a main F. To prevent the return of these gases when the doors B³
are opened to charge the retorts B, a valve or disc f is fitted to close against the
lower end of the pipe f' dipping into the main F. This disc is attached to a rod
passing out through a stuffing box from the pipe f¹ and jointed outside to a
lever F, which is actuated by the opening or closing of the retort door B³. The
lever F is carried by a centre stud and bracket and its inner end is formed
with a slot into which fits a stud at the end of a projecting arm b² on the door.
The door B³ is a jointed one, and when it is opened the projecting arm b³ depresses
the inner end of the lever F and by raising the opposite end, closes the valve f;
and when the door B³ is closed the valve fis opened to allow the gases generated
in the retorts B to escape. The ammonia is collected directly by passing the gases
produced through an acid saturator, or by passing through a condenser and scrubber
as in gas manufacture, and the beating gases are passed on therefrom to a gas-
holder or compensator to be mixed with the gases from the primary retorts A, or
otherwise used; or the heating gases are passed directly to the combustion furnace
or chambers G, G where they are mixed with heated air and burned to supply the
necessary heat for the retorts and to generate and superheat the steam used for
producing the ammonia in the retorta B.
"

page_text: The gases from the secondary retorts, as also from the primary retorts, may be
passed through hydrated peroxide of iron to remove sulphuretted hydrogen before
passing through the saturator or into the compensator.
In addition to the compact and convenient character of the arrangements
described, great advantage and economy are secured by the treatment of the
incandescent coke in separate or secondary retorts, as the amount and value of the
ammonia obtained by treatment therein can always be accurately ascertained, and
during treatment simple tests can be applied to ascertain the condition of the
charge, or when it is spent ; and as the products from the secondary retorts contain
no tarry matters, the ammonia may be more directly converted into sulphate or
other salts of ammonia.
:
The superheated steam required for the treatment of the coke in the secondary
retorts may be generated in an ordinary steam boiler, or in the upper part of the
long boxes H, H, placed in the chambers G, and in which the steam generated is
superheated by being caused to circulate. On emerging from the heating flues or
chambers G, steam pipes h branch to right and left of the superheating boxes II to
deliver the steam into the bottom or broad side of the secondary retorts B, B.
The gases produced by distillation in the primary retorts A (if not used for
illuminating purposes) together with the heating gases produced froin the secondary
retorts are introduced and consumed in a suitable combustion furnace or chambers G,
constructed under or at one side of the primary and secondary retorts A, B, but
preferably under the primary and to one side of the secondary retorts. A furnace I
provided with furnace bars and arranged to burn-ordinary fuel is fitted below each
pair of horizontal retorts, but is used only in commencing the distillation of the
coal, or until such time as a steady flow of gas is produced and consumed to heat
the retorts. When the retorts are sufficiently heated, this furnace I, is allowed to
choke up with ash, and a combustion chamber l'above is used in which gas and hot
air are consumed to maintain the necessary-heat. When the furnace I is in use,
the ashes drop through the furnace bars into the arches C¹ from which the fire can
be conveniently raked.
A second furnace or furnace chamber J is located below the secondary retorts B
and is arranged to receive the spent coke from these retorts, which when
withdrawn is dropped through doorways j into the furnace chamber J. This
chamber J is provided with air inlets j', and with outlet flues J' which convey the
hot gases generated into the combustion chambers G, G on each side. These
combustion chambers G may also be supplied with gas from either series of retorts,
such gas being led in by pipes k below and mixed with heated air before entering
the chambers G. The hot products of combustion pass from the chambers G
through flues G¹ into the flues & surrounding the retorts B and escape thence by
the ports to the regenerating flue L, and to the chimney flue L'. The bottom of
the furnace J is formed with openings through which the ash may fall into ash-
pits J below. In order to obtain heated air for supplying the said combustion
furnaces G and 1', a series of air flues M are formed on each side of the flue L
through which the hot gases from the combustion furnaces G, G, are led away, and
air is admitted to the flues M through boxes M' at the back having adjusting
doors placed near the centre of the series of flues. The air circulates through the
upper half of the flues M on its way to the combustion chambers I' of the primary
retorts A, and in the lower half of the flues M circulates the air which passes to
the combustion chambers G of the secondary retorts B, the quantity in each case
being controlled by adjusting doors or dampers on the boxes M. The heated air
for the combustion chambers I' is led up and discharged through air ports m into
the chambers I after mixing with gas which is admitted to mixing flue spaces
by small gas pipes n' provided with cocks. The heated air for the combustion
chambers G likewise passes into mixing flue spaces n' to which gas is led by the
pipes, and from the mixing flue spaces the air and gas enter the chambers G. The
arrows indicate the course of the heated air, and the darts indicate the course of
the products of combustion.

page_text: After the nitrogen has been sufficiently discharged from the coke in the
secondary retorts by the action of steam, the residual coke may be freed from any
ashes if necessary, and either consumed in the retorts, steam boiler, or other
furnaces, or sold. But it having been found that tho ashes of certain coals, dross,
and cannel coals, contain a considerable per centage of lime as well as silica, I
prefer to lay out the residual coke referred to in mass or otherwise and burn off
the carbon, or place the same in a suitable furnace such as the furnace J with a
similar object, and collect the ashes, which I grind in a pan mill, and convert the
same into a valuable mortar or cement, to utilise it for agricultural purposes.
When this residual coke is not used to supply the furnace J, as herein described,
the heat produced in reducing the coke to ashes may be utilized in the production
of steam for the secondary retorts, or for heating air or water, or for drying floors
for drying the coke and ashes withdrawn from the secondary retorts when a water
seal is employed.
Having now described the nature of my said Invention and the manner in
which the same is to be performed, I declare that I make no claim generally to the
combining together of horizontal and vertical retorts, as I am aware that horizontal
and vertical retorts have been combined together though not in the manner hereiu
described, but what I do claim as my Invention is,--
First. The arrangement of the series of horizontal retorts for effecting the
distillation of coal or carbonaceous matter, in combination with the series of
vertical retorts located in front and below to receive the residual coke from the first
series for treatment by steam, and with the furnaces, air heating flues, and coin-
bustion chambers in which gas and hot air are consumed to provide heat for the
retorts, substantially as herein described and illustrated.
Second. In apparatus for distilling and treating coal or carbonaceous matter, the
retorts A fitted horizontally in pairs, the vertical retorts B located immediately
below and in front into which steam is injected, the furnaces I, J, combustion
chambers I, G, in which gas and hot air are consumed, the waste gas flues L and
air flues M heated thereby, the whole being combined and arranged to operate,
substantially as herein described and illustrated.
In Witness Whereof, I, the said George Robertson Hislop, have hereunto set
my hand and seal, this thirtieth day of April in the year of our Lord One
thousand eight hundred and eighty three.
Witness
"WALLACE FAIRWEATHER C.E., Fel. Inst. P.A.
Of W. R. M. Thomson & C°
Patent Agents
Glasgow
GEO. R. HISLUR
(L.S.)