IMPROVEMENTS IN COKE OVENS
Year: 1883

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Frank Wirth, of the firm of Wirth and Company Patent.
Solicitors at Frankfort on the Main in the Empire of Germany for an
Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN COKE OVENS " a communication from Franz
Brunck, Engineer a person resident at Mannheim in the Empire of Germany
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Frank Wirth at the Office
of the Commissioners of Patents on the 30th May 1883.
FRANK WIRTH of the firm of Wirth and Company Patent Solicitors at
Frankfort on the main in the Empire of Germany "IMPROVEMENTS IN COKE
OVENS [A communication from Franz Brunck, Engineer a person resident at
Mannheim in the Empire of Germany]
"
This Invention relates to coke ovens and has for its objects the construction of
such ovens in the manner required to obtain good coke by a rapid and regular
working and to allow the extraction of the products of the distillation of coals
and the heating arrangement to be effected under the most favourable.
circumstances.
In carrying the said Invention into practice, curved horizontal or sloping heating
surfaces are made use of in order to obtain the greatest efficiency from the gas
necessary to the heating of the oven; the splitting of the coals being likewise
prevented by reason of the arrangement of the said heating surfaces at an obtuse
angle.
an
The oven is accordingly cup shaped in cross section which permits of the
arrangement of several channels which are cut into the sole and ensure
advantageous heating of the walls, by reason of the sloping of the, said walls
which are also built rather thin; and by joining the sole to the side walls by
means of curved surfaces with great radius or sloping surfaces so that the angles
at which these surfaces meet should measure at least 125°
When the oven is arranged for the extraction of the products of the distillation,
it is necessary, in order to obtain the requisite temperature, to heat beforehand the
air and gas required. This previous heating of the air and gas may be alternately
effected, for example in smoke flues or channels when the left hand channels serve

page_text: for the passage of the heating gas, and the passage of the air; the right hand
channels serve for the escape of the smoke.
A second set of channels cut into the sole of the oven are divided in two parts
by means of a partition wall and cross a third set of channels. In the case as
stated of the oven being used for the extraction of the products of distillation the
heating gas and air are conveyed into the compartments of one of the channels in
the second set; from these into vertical flues, then into a third channel out of
which they are further conducted into other vertical flues, thence they enter into
the compartments of another channel in the second set through an opening
(which serves later on for the conveyance of air and gas), and lastly into the
smoke channels. If required, either hot air or gas may be conveyed into the
third set of channels. In order to provide for the proper separation of gases in
the separate vertical flues, on the top of each flue is placed a plate.
Besides proper heating there are other conditions required to accomplish the
object, such as the sufficient charging of the coal which is obtained by increasing
the size of the mouth of the oven but especially by a suitable planing of the coal
surface in such a manner that in the first instance the thickness of the coal layer
must depend upon the kind of heating surface which is used; and further that the
gas may have only the shortest distance possible to travel before it reaches the free
spaces in the furnace and lastly that the contact of the gas with the heated surface
of the walls may be avoided.
The above conditions are fully complied with by resorting to groove planing by
means of a grooving or ploughing plane. The head of this plane is shaped to form
a trough in the coal; this shape tends to lessen the resistance to the movement of
the plane itself and causes a regular distribution of the coals falling over the heap
which is being formed through the space which is gradually and regularly moved
towards the top by means of a partition. The compound coals are brought into
the hollow portions of the heap by a combination of a vertical and a horizontal
movement; elastic rollers which are at the back of the head of the plane assist the
planing by holding the coals first during the to and fro movement of the plane,
upon its surface.
When the diameter of these elastic cylindrical rollers has to be very small it is
preferable to use conical rollers.
The mechanical movement of the plane is effected by means of a rack or screw
fixed at the lower part of the said plane. Two shafts are placed one upon the
entrance door and the other on the head of the plane lastly rollers are in contact
with the arch of the oven and can be raised or lowered so as to reach the height at
which the loading is effected.
On account of the widening of the oven and so as to retain a regular thickness
of the coal layer the oven receives a corresponding charging by the side of the coke.
The cross section of the trough is arranged according to the state of the coals and
the cross section of the oven, and must be such that the various thicknesses of the
trough shape sections of the coals correspond to the quality of the heating surfaces,
so that a slanting passage may also be obtained. With this planing arrangement,
the side walls of the oven will be covered entirely, and the arch partly, with coals;
through the radiation of the heat from the coals, and in consequence of this
radiation occuring at an acute angle, the part of the arch wall remaining free will
be less heated than would be the case with the usual horizontal planing, the
decomposition of the products of the distillation of coals will be brought down to a
minimum owing to the short distance traversed by the gas through the coals, and
the vertical contact with the surface of the hot walls and above all, owing to the
covering of the walls by coals which has the advantage of preventing any defect in
the walls.
The above are the most favourable conditions for the extraction of the products
of distillation especially for the preparation of gas for lighting purposes as well as
for the closing of the door and mouth of the oven. Additional heat must be
provided in case of any abnormal cooling of the oven or irregularities in the quality

page_text: or quantity of the heating gas employed. Instead of having special arrangements
for that purpose hydrogen may be produced in the oven itslf and conducted either
in special pipes or together with the product of the distillation, to be used after
wards as heating material. For this purpose a sloping room or space is arranged
in the brickwork of the oven either at the top or bottom, or at the sides for the
heating of steam pipes and is connected on one side to the distillation chamber by
narrow compartments and on the other side by means of pipes which can be closed,
to the steam pipe.
::
After the distillation is over and before the doors are opened, the steam pipe may
be opened when necessary. The steam enters at a high temperature through the
compartments into the chamber and is charged by contact with the incandescent
coals into hydrogen. If desired, after shutting off the steam in the steam pipes air
can be introduced into the distillation chamber. It will be possible to produce as
much hydrogen as required by the alternate introduction of steam and air.
The introductiom of steam has another object, that is to expel the last portions'
of the products of distillation and also to prevent the admission of decomposed coal
which arises from an imperfect combustion of the gas and which covers the surface
of the coke with a black coating.
It is important in this apparatus especially on account of the sloping of the
walls of the oven to provide for the pressing and slacking of the coke: In the
first instance the entrance of air must be avoided whilst the coke is being slacked
and in the second instance to obtain a proper compression of the coke without
having to conduct the slacked coke into built up pits, a coke slacking chamber is
constructed so as to be capable of being taken to pieces and easily transported.
An arrangement of plates in the platform facing the oven forms the flooring of
the chamber the side walls are made of several pieces. These pieces consist of
frames which are formed in such a way that their front part corresponds to the
profile of the oven and is covered with metal, and at their back are two or more
U-shaped iron stays which are rolled up at the end. For the protection of the
sides two bars are passed through a hand lever into the iron groove in the floor
which is placed corresponding on a level with the platform.
A chance separation of the walls in the direction of the pressure of the machine
may be easily prevented by a corresponding firing of the last wall piece. The
above apparatus can be easily taken to pieces.

page_text: SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed
by the said Frank Wirth in the Great Seal Patent Office on the
30th November 1883.
FRANK WIRTH of the firm of Wirth and Company Patent Solicitors at
Frankfort-on-the-Main in the Empire of Germany, "IMPROVEMENTS IN COKE
OVENS A communication from Franz Brunck, Engineer, a person resident at
Mannheim in the Empire of Germany
"
This invention relates to coke ovens, and has for its objects the construction of
such ovens in the manner required to obtain by rapid and regular working a
superior quality of coke and to permit the extraction of the products of the
distillation of coal and the heating to be effected under the most favourable
circumstances.
In the accompanying drawings
Figure 1 is a front elevation of a portion of a furnace constructed according to
this invention
Figure 2 is a section on the line 1, 2, 34 Figure 4
Figure 3 is a section on the line 9, 10, 11, 12 Figure 6.
Figure 4 is a section on the line 13, 14 Figure 2.
Figure 5 is a section on the line 15, 16, 17, 18 Figure 2
Figure 6 is a section on the line 19, 20, 21, 22, Figure 2.
Figure 7 is a section on the line 23, 24, 25, 26 Figure 2.
Figures 8 and 9 are a section and side elevation of a wall hereinafter described.
In order to best utilize heated gases for the intense heating of coke ovens, curved
horizontal or sloping heating surfaces are employed; and in order to prevent the
splitting of the coals the said heating surfaces are arranged at an obtuse angle to
each other. The oven is cup-shaped in cross section, permitting the arrangement
of several channels in the sole and ensuring an advantageous heating of the walls,
by reason of the angle at which they are set and the thinness of the same. The
sole is joined to the side walls by means of curved surfaces of great radius, or by
sloping surfaces, in such a manner that the angle at which these surfaces meet
measures say not less than 125°.
When the oven is arranged for the extraction of the products of the distillation,
it is necessary, in order to obtain the requisite temperature, to heat before hand
the air and gas required.
The previous heating of the air and gas may be alternately effected for example
in the smoke flues or channels A, A', B, B¹ Figures 45 and 6. The arrows show
the direction of the current when the channel A serves for the passage of the
heating gas and the channel B for the passage of the air; the channels A¹ B¹
serving for the escape of the smoke.
The channels C and C¹, formed in the sole of the oven and shewn in Figures
2, 3, 4, 6 and 7, are divided into two nearly equal parts by means of a partition
wall E, Figures 6 and 7, and are connected with the channels D Figure 7 by means
of nearly vertical flues a, b.
In the case, as stated, of the oven being used for the extraction of the products
of distillation, the heating gas and air are conveyed into the channel C Figure 7,
from this they pass into the flues a Figures 2, 4, 6 and 7 and then into the
channel D, from whence they are further conducted by the vertical flues b
Figures 3, 6 and 7 into the channel C Figure 7, and from the channel C they pass
through the openings F','g', Figure 7, (which serve later on for the conveyance of
air and gas) into the smoke channels A' and B' Figure 6. If required hot air or
gas may also be admitted into the channels D.
In order to keep the flues a and b properly separated from each other, a plate k
is placed in each flue so that it can be reached from the top of the same as shown
in Figure 4.

page_text: It
Besides the proper heating of the oven it is necessary to produce good coke to
feed the coal regularly and uniformly to the oven. This can be accomplished by
providing a large number of openings through which to charge the said oven.
is especially necessary to lay the coal evenly on the heating surface and to regulate
the thickness of the coal layer according to the kind of heating surface which is
used. It is further necessary that the gases generated should only have a very
short distance to travel before they reach the open space in the furnace, and also
that the contact of the said gases with the heated surface of the walls of the oven
should be avoided.
The above conditions are best fulfilled by means of a levelling or planing device
somewhat similar to a plough. The said device is shown at L Figures 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6.
The head of the plane forms a trough in the coal, and is so shaped as to remove
as far as possible the resistance to the movement of the plane and effect
a regular distribution of the coal introduced into the oven. The coal introduced
into the oven through the feeding apertures, which are narrowed at the top by
means of a partition m Figure 3 is forced into the vacant spaces on the heating
surface by the combination of vertical and horizontal motions. The elastic rollers
N Figure 6 which are at the back of the head of the plough or plane, level, by
reason of the to and fro movement of the said plane, render the surface of the coals
firm. When the diameter of the elastic cylindrical rollers employed has to be very'
small it is preferable to use conical rollers. The to and fro movement of the plane
is effected by means of a rack or by a screw fixed at the lower part of the said
plane. Two shafts are placed upon the entrance door and the plough or plane
head. The rollers R. Figure 2 or 5 are in contact with the arch of the oven and
can be raised and lowered so as to regulate the thickness of coal upon the
beating surfaces.
In accordance with the width of the oven, and so as to retain a regular thick-
ness of the coal layer the arch is made correspondingly large or small. The cross
section of the trough in the coal is arranged according to the kind of coals and the
cross section of the oven, and must be such that the various thicknesses of the
coal layers are regulated to correspond to the nature of the heating surfaces, so
that a passage may also be obtained for the gases. With this planing arrangement,
the side walls of the oven will be covered entirely and the vault partly with coals,
besides through the radiation of the heat from the coals, and in consequence of
this radiation occurring at an acute angle, the part of the arch wall remaining
free will be less heated than would be the case with the usual horizontal levelling.
The decomposition of the products of the distillation of coals is brought down
to a minimum owing, first to the short distance traversed by the gas through the
coals and the reduced contact with the surface of the hot walls, and especially
owing to the covering of the walls by coals, which has the advantage of covering
any defect in the walls.
The above are the most favourable conditions for the extraction of the products
of distillation, especially for the preparation of gas for lighting purposes, as well
as for the proper closing of the door and mouth of the oven. Additional heating
must be provided in case of any abnormal cooling of the oven or irregularities in
the quality or quantity of the heating gas employed. Instead of having special
arrangement for that purpose, hydrogen may be produced in the oven itself and
conducted either in special pipes or together with the product of the distillation to
be used afterwards as heating material. For this purpose a larger or smaller
sloping room or space is arranged in the brickwork of the oven either at the top,
the bottom, or at the sides, for the heating of the steam pipes & Figures 2, 3, 4, 6, 7,
and is connected on one side to the distillation chamber through narrow compart-
ments and on the other side by means of pipes 2¹ Figures 1, 4, 6, 7 (which can
be closed) to the steam pipe Q Figures 1 and 7.
After the distillation is over, and before the doors are opened, the steam cock
may be opened when necessary. The steam enters at a high temperature through
the compartments into the chamber, and is changed by contact with the incandescent

page_text: coals into hydrogen. If the apparatus is so arranged that after shutting off the
steam in the steam pipes air can be introduced into the distillation chamber it will
be possible to produce as much hydrogen as required by the alternate introduction
of steam and air.
The introduction of steam has another object that is to expel the last portions
of the products of distillation, and also to prevent the admission of coal dust
which arises from an imperfect combustion of the gas and which covers the surface
of the coke with a black coating.
It is important in this apparatus especially, on account of the sloping of the
walls of the oven, to provide for the removal and slacking of the coke. In the
first instance the injurious entrance of air must be avoided whilst the coke is being
slacked, and on the other hand the proper removal of the coke accomplished
without having to conduct the slacked coke into pits.
To remedy these objections a coke slacking chainber is constructed so as to be
capable of being taken to pieces and easily transported.
An arrangement of plates on the platform facing the oven forms the flooring of
the chamber; the side walls are made of several pieces W Figure 9 put together.
These pieces consist as shewn in Figures 8 and 9 on the drawing of frames t
Figure 9 which are formed in such a way that their front parts correspond to the
shape of the oven and are covered with metal. At their backs are two or more
iron stays u which are turned up at the ends. For the protection of the sides two
bars vv Figure 8 are passed through the hand lever x into the iron groove in the
floor y Figure 8 which is placed on a level corresponding with the platform.
A chance separation of the walls in the direction of the pressure may be easily
prevented by a corresponding fixing of the last wall piece. The above apparatus
can be easily taken to pieces.
Having thus fully described the said invention as communicated to me by
my Correspondent and the manner of performing the same I wish it understood
that I claim.
First In a coke oven, forming a trough in the surface of the coal for the
purposes specified
:
Second A coke oven, the heating walls of which form a trougli in cross section
and which are either straight or curved, and contain an angle of not less than 125
degrees.
Third The arrangement of pipes in the distillation chamber which pipes may
be opened and closed and through which steam or air may be conducted for the
production of hydrogen
Fourth-The introduction of steam into coke ovens for the purpose of expelling
any remaining products of distillation and preventing the blackening of the coke
previous to the removal of the same
Fifth-Mechanically levelling the surface of the coal in coke ovens, by means
of a plane which is shaped to form a groove and which is provided with cylindrical
or conical rollers for the purpose specified.
Sixth A slacking chamber which can be taken to pieces the walls being formed
of portable pieces which are put up and fixed upon the front platform of the coke
oven..
In witness whereof I the said Frank Wirth have hereunto set my hand and
seal this twenty fourth day of November in the year of our Lord One thousand