IMPROVE- MENTS IN THE MANUFACTURE OF COKE, AND IN THE APPARATUS CONNECTED THEREWITH, AND IN TREATING THE PRODUCTS OBTAINED THEREFROM
Year: 1853

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Auguste Mathieu Maurice de Bergevin, of
Paris, in the Empire of France, for the Invention of "IMPROVE-
MENTS IN THE MANUFACTURE OF COKE, AND IN THE APPARATUS
CONNECTED THEREWITH, AND IN TREATING THE PRODUCTS OBTAINED
THEREFROM." A communication from Monsieur Guillaume Louis
Edouard Buran, of Paris.
Sealed the 18th February 1854, and dated the 18th August 1853.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Auguste Mathieu
Maurice de Bergevin at the Office of the Commissioners of
Patents, with his Petition, on the 18th August 1853.
I, AUGUSTE MATHIEU MAURICE DE BERGEVIN, do hereby declare the
nature of the said Invention for "IMPROVEMENTS IN THE MANUFACTURE
OF COKE, AND IN THE APPARATUS CONNECTED THEREWITH, AND IN TREATING
THE PRODUCTS OBTAINED THEREFROM," to be as follows:-
This Invention consists in the use and application of certain new
apparatus for effecting the following objects:-Firstly, as regards the
manufacture of coke, the extracting of the gas and bituminous and
1
Sp

page_text: ammoniacal matters thereof, which in other apparatuses have been
dissipated and lost, and the use and application of the gas obtained
from such manufacture in and for the generating of steam, the baking
of china ware, gypsum, lime, the manufacture of glass in glass works,
to puddling furnaces employed in the manufacture of iron; to the
purposes of evaporation in chemical works; and in and for the manu-
facture of printed calicoes. Secondly, in and for the rectification of
bituminous matters, in order to render them useful for the purposes of
lighting, and further to render them capable of entering into the com-
position of all kinds of paints and coloring matters. Thirdly, to the
direct combination of ammoniacal gases with several acids. Fourthly,
to the distillation of schistus and ligneous matters; to the treatment
of turf from which to manufacture oven coke or charcoal, called turf
coke or charcoal; to the carbonizing of bones for the purpose of
converting them into animal, black, or bone charcoal, and in extracting
therefrom combustible gas, paraphine, oil, and ammoniacal gases, to be
applied to the before-mentioned purposes; and lastly, in carbonising
coal, and rendering useful all the products resulting from such car-
bonizing process.
And in order to explain the nature of this Invention I will proceed to
describe the modes of conducting the several above-mentioned processes.
First, as regards the manufacture of coke.-It commences by heating
two furnaces, of new and peculiar construction, to a temperature of
about 900 degrees. About three tons of coal is then introduced into
one of the furnaces, and during the operation a flue is opened by raising
a stopper, and thereby putting this fluc into connection with a larger
flue. The furnace is then closed up and luted in the usual way so
as to make it air-tight, and when all the air is expelled from the
furnace the flue which was opened at the commencement of the
operation is now closed, and a valve is opened so as to cause artificial
draught in the furnace, in lieu of the large flue before mentioned,
and after four hours the coal will be partially carbonized; but for
the complete carbonizing thereof, so as to have the coke well purified,
it will be necessary to continue the operation for 40 hours.
when all the gaseous, bituminous, and ammoniacal products have
And

page_text: been extracted from the coal, the furnace is again put into con-
nection with the large flue before mentioned, which terminates the
operation. It should be remarked that if the operation be continued
for 40 hours, then the second furnace should not be charged for 20
hours after the first. The flame from the first furnace passes under
the sole of the second one, heats the same, and prevents what is tech-
nically termed "pied de four." The combustible and ammoniacal
gases are expelled by the artificial draught of the furnace, and causes
them to pass through a certain number of vessels lined with lead and
containing certain acids; and as the ammoniacal gas passes through
said acids it will combine therewith and form ammoniacal salts. The
combustible gas passes into a gasometer ready for use for heating or
lighting, as before stated, and when intended to be used for the purpose
of lighting the gas before entering into the gasometer is caused to
pass through a cold water bath or condenser, and is refined with lime
or metallic oxides, so as to divest it of the sulphurous hydrogen which it
contains.
Description of the apparatus to be employed for effecting the car-
bonization of turf, ligneous and schistous matters, and bones.-This
furnace is made with bricks, and heated by means of fire placed under
the sole of the furnace; the flame surrounds a large vault, and escapes
by a fluc. When the furnace is sufficiently heated the turf or other
matters or substances to be carbonized are put therein, and the furnace
is then closed and luted, as before stated, and put into communication
with the artificial draught; and as the process of carbonization goes on,
the gases and oils are extracted, the oils pass into the condenser, in
which they are condensed, and form a deposit in a cistern. The gaseous
products pass into a leaden cistern containing acids, as before stated,
and the combustible gases pass into a gasometer to be used for heating
or lighting, and may be passed through a condenser, as before stated,
when required to be used for the purpose of lighting. It should here
be observed that when schistous matters are operated upon the coaly
residue thereof, hitherto lost, will furnish a cheap disinfecting substance,
which may be applied to the disinfecting of sewers & slaughter
houses; and it should be further observed, that in operating upon turf

page_text: and schistous matters the paraphine should be quickly separated there-
from, and may be used in the manufacture of tapers, which will give a
light of remarkable brightness.
Description of the apparatus for distilling the tar obtained during the
carbonizing process.-The tar is collected and put into an apparatus,
there to be subjected to the process of distillation. This apparatus is
provided with a graduated thermometer, by which to operate upon the
distillation at any given temperature, which is an important feature in
this part of the Invention, as by first heating to a temperature of only
80 degrees Réaumur oils may be obtained of from 30 to 32 degrees of
lightness; and by heating to a temperature of 150 degress oils may be
obtained of a mean weight of 25 degrees, and it is only at a high
temperature that a mixture of heavy and light oils can be obtained;
and, lastly, at a temperature of from 180 to 200 degrees, some oils
may be obtained which may be called greasy. All the above oils are
separated or divided one from the other, so as to render them applicable
to different purposes. For example, the oils obtained at a temperature
of from 30 to 32 degrees may be employed in and for the manufacture
of varnishes, instead of the spirits of turpentine hitherto employed,
and will be found infinitely superior thereto, as it gives to varnish
flexible and drying properties. The other oils can be used for mixing
paints or coloring matters and for lighting, and will be found parti-
cularly adapted to these purposes, from the circumstance of their being
freed of the naptha which the oils obtained from the ordinary coal tar
possess a large share of, and which is only fit to be used in the manu-
facture of lamp black. In this apparatus, and with the assistance of
the thermometer, the several products are received at the exit of the
worm or spiral pipe in the order set forth. The retort belonging to
this apparatus is provided with an aperture for removing the pitchy
residue freed from the oils, in which state this residue may be used for
coating or covering private or public walks.
I now proceed to describe that part of the apparatus to be employed
for effecting the saturation and sublimation of the ammoniacal waters,
as follows: The ammoniacal waters are united by condensation to the
sulphate acid of ammonia which has been formed in the apparatus,

page_text: and gives to the concentrated acids a neutral liquid of a density repre-
sented by 10 of the aerometer. They are then placed in a reservoir,
from which they are discharged, by means of a gutter pierced with
innumerable small holes in a similar manner to a watering pipe, into
a channelled boiler slightly inclined; and when the liquid has arrived
at the end of the boiler it will have doubled its density, and have
attained its proper state.
I now proceed to describe that part of the apparatus which has
reference to the artificial draught before mentioned. Between the
furnace and the artificial draught a box is placed, in which are ar-
ranged several partitions formed, either of wood, cast or sheet iron, or
masonry. This box, which is filled with water, contains a metallic
serpentine pipe or worm, so as to expose a large surface to the artificial
draught, which causes the smoke to enter and pass along all the
sinuosities of said pipe, by which the smoke becomes cooled down to
the temperature of the atmosphere, and the heat therefrom enters
into the water which surrounds the said pipe, and in this manner and
by these means these improvements are effected.
SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent,
filed by the said Auguste Mathieu Maurice de Bergevin in the
Great Seal Patent Office, on the 18th February 1854.
TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, I,
AUGUSTE MATHIEU MAURICE DE BERGEVIN, of Paris, in the Empire of
France, send greeting.
WHEREAS Her most Excellent Majesty Queen Victoria, by Her
Letters Patent, bearing date the Eighteenth day of August, in the year
of our Lord One thousand eight hundred and fifty-three, in the seven-
teenth year of Her reign, did, for Herself, Her heirs and successors,
give and grant unto me, the said Mathieu Maurice de Bergevin, Her
special licence that I, the said Auguste Mathieu Maurice de Bergevin,
my executors, administrators, and assigns, or such others as I, the
said Auguste Mathieu Maurice de Bergevin, my executors, adminis-
trators, and assigns, should at any time agree with, and no others,

page_text: from time to time and at all times thereafter during the term therein
expressed, should and lawfully might make, use, exercise, and vend,
within the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland, the Chan-
nel Islands, and Isle of Man, an Invention for "IMPROVEMENTS IN
THE MANUFACTURE OF COKE, AND IN THE APPARATUS CONNECTED THEREWITH,
AND IN TREATING THE PRODUCTS OBTAINED THEREFROM," a communica-
tion from Monsieur Guillaume Louis Edouard Buran, of Paris, upon
the condition (amongst others) that I, the said Auguste Mathieu
Maurice de Bergevin, by an instrument in writing under my hand and
seal, should particularly describe and ascertain the nature of the said
Invention, and in what manner the same was to be performed, and
cause the same to be filed in the Great Seal Patent Office within six
calendar months next and immediately after the date of the said
Letters Patent.
NOW KNOW YE, that I, the said Auguste Mathieu Maurice de Ber-
gevin, do hereby declare the nature of the said Invention, and in what
manner the same is to be performed, to be particularly described and
ascertained in and by the following statement thereof (that is to say):
My improvements in the manufacture of coke relate more par-
ticularly to that description of coke manufactured in ovens, and
known as oven coke, and consist in the use and employment of certain
apparatus, of new and peculiar construction, for effecting the carbon-
izing of coal by extracting therefrom the gas and the bituminous and
ammoniacal matters contained therein, and in collecting and separating
these matters from each other, so as to render them available for various
useful purposes; whereas by the modes hitherto practised of manufactur-
ing coke in ovens such said matters have been dissipated and lost. And
I would remark that this mode of manufacturing coke from coal applies
also to the manufacture of coke from turf, known and distinguished as
"turf coke," and from other vegetable, ligneous, and bituminous matters
capable of being carbonized or coked. And an important feature in
manufacturing coke from coal, according to my said Invention, consists
in clearing or freeing the coke from the sulphuretted hydrogen which it
contains, thereby obviating the objection attending the use and employ-
ment of coke as hitherto manufactured for general purposes.

page_text: And as regards that part of my said Invention which has reference to
the treating of the products obtained during such said carbonizing pro-
cess, my Invention consists, firstly, in rectifying the bituminous matters:
contained in coal so as to render such said matters useful for the pur-
poses of artificial light or illumination, and by further rectifying such,
said matters to render them available for and capable of entering into
the composition of all kinds of paints and coloring matters:
Secondly, in the direct combination of the ammoniacal gases (or
products resulting from such carbonizing process) with several acids, for
the purpose of producing sulphate of ammonia and muriate of ammonia,
by operating upon them in an apparatus of the construction exhibited
at Figure 11, of Sheet 6, in the manner hereafter fully described: And,
Thirdly, in rendering useful all other products arising from such said.
carbonizing process. For example, for agricultural purposes, the sul-
phate and muriate of ammonia products obtained in the manner
herein-after stated present a cheap mode of obtaining a rich and
powerful manure. Again, the carburetted oils resulting from such;
carbonizing process, which by this Invention are obtained without much
extra expense, are very much superior to those obtained from tar (such
as results from the manufacture of gas at gas works), will therefore be
found better adapted for the purposes of illumination. Again, the oils
obtained by distilling the tar which results from the before-mentioned
carbonizing process being free from napthaline will be found parti-
cularly applicable to the purposes of illumination, as also for the
manufacture of varnishes, as it will give to them remarkable siccific
and flexible properties. And, further, such said oils may also be used.
with advantage in the manufacture of oil colors or paints.
But in order to explain my said Invention as completely as possible
I now proceed to describe the best means I am acquainted with for
carrying my said Invention into practical effect, reference being had to.
the illustrative Drawings hereunto annexed, and to the numeral figures
and letters of reference marked thereon respectively as follows:-
DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS.
At. Sheet 1, Figure 1, is a longitudinal and vertical section of an

page_text: there are two built in juxta-position) being connected with certain
apparatus exhibited partly in section of Figures 1, and 2, and herein-
after particularly described and referred to. At Sheet 2, Figure 3, is a
front elevation and transverse and vertical section of the above-men-
tioned ovens; and Figure 4, exhibits two horizontal sectional plan views
of such said ovens; such said sections being taken respectively through
the dotted lines A, B, and C, D, at Figure 3. At Sheet 3, Figure 5,
is a top plan view, and Figure 6, a transverse and vertical section
through the dotted line E, F, at Figure 5, of an apparatus which I pro-
pose to employ for producing artificial draught in the before-mentioned
ovens. At Sheet 4, Figure 7, is a longitudinal and vertical section of
another form of construction of oven adapted for the manufacture of coke
from turf, or the carbonizing of turf or other vegetable, ligneous, or
bituminous matters, such said oven being exhibited as connected with
certain apparatus for accumulating the products arising from such said
mode of manufacturing coke, as also the mode of separating, treating,
and collecting the gas
into a gasometer, so as to render the same avail-
able for the purposes of illumination and heating. Figure 8, is a top
plan view, shewn partly in section, of another form of construction of
apparatus for producing artificial draught in the above-mentioned oven.
Figure 9, is a longitudinal and vertical section through the line G, H,
at Figure 8. Figure 10, is a transverse and vertical section through
the line I, K, at Figures 8, and 9. At Sheet 5, is exhibited a longitu-
dinal and vertical section of an apparatus for distilling the tar obtained
during the process of carbonizing coal; and at Sheet 6, Figure 11, is
a transverse and vertical section of an apparatus which I employ for
effecting the saturation and sublimation of the ammoniacal waters
resulting from the before-mentioned carbonizing process. Figure 12,
is a top plan view of a portion of said apparatus. At each of the
Figures of as many of the Sheets of Drawings as are employed to
illustrate, and which pertain to the same apparatus, I employ similar
letters of reference to denote corresponding parts, in so far as such
parts appear or can be seen at each of the Figures of each of the
Sheets of Drawings respectively.
At Sheet 1, A, A, is a paring of ordinary bricks; B, B, paving of
fire bricks; C, C, flues or ducts for the admission of heat beneath

page_text: the sole of each oven, and communicating with other flues C', C³, as
exhibited at Figure 4, of Sheet 2, the latter of which terminates in
the chimney; D, the sole of the oven, which is formed of fire bricks ;
E, the body of the oven; I, the crown or roof of the oven, which is
also formed of fire bricks, as well as the sides K, thereof; L, is
another crown or roof formed of ordinary bricks, and at a distance
of from three to twelve inches from the roof I, so as to leave a space
between the crowns I, and L, and around the vertical sides of the
oven, such said space being filled with sand or other suitable non-con-
ducting substance. M, is solid brickwork, forming the exterior of t
oven, at the front of which an opening N, is formed for charging and
drawing the oven, and into said opening a cast iron framing is built,
same being furnished with a plate O, for closing the opening N, after
the oven is charged, and said opening is rendered air-tight by a
luting of clay, and a cross bar P, and screw Q, for securing the plate O,
in proper position, in a similar manner to that usually practised for
closing retorts. R, is a flue formed of fire brick communicating with
the main flue or chimney; S, another flue for establishing a communi-
cation between the main flue or chimney and the inside of the oven;
the top of the flue R', is furnished with a casting, to which is con-
nected a moveable casting T, by depressing which by means of a
screw at V, or other convenient and suitable means, the opening at
the top of the flue R, will be closed, and may be rendered air-tight by
a washer a, of amianthe or asbestus, and thus the communication
between the inside of the oven and the main flue or chimney may be
cut off. U, U, are pipes for conveying the gas from the interior of the
oven or ovens to the condenser or condensers W, the construction of
which is follows:-b, b, are a series of tubes or pipes arranged and
disposed side by side in a vertical position, and connected together by
bent pipes c, c, c, d, e, f; the pipe d, connects the main pipe with the
condenser, and by raising the sliding valve g, allows the gas to enter
thereinto, and from thence it passes by the pipe e, and valve h, which
should also be raised for that purpose, info and through an apparatus
herein-after particularly described, which I call an artificial draught
apparatus. i, i, i, are short pipes temporarily closed and rendered air-

page_text: tight in any convenient manner, said pipes being employed for remov
ing the products of distillation from the condenser. The pipe f, serves
to establish a direct communication between the oven and the before-
mentioned artificial draught apparatus by raising the sliding valve k
and is only required to be used when the condenser is choked up.
The construction of the artificial draught apparatus marked A, at
Figure 1, will be more readily understood by referring to Sheet 3, where
A, B, C, are three cylindrical shaped pieces of metal, arranged and dis-
posed as follows:-The upper end of the piece A, is formed closed and
with a boss or projection at the under side thereof, in which a hole is
formed, through which a rod D, hereafter referred to, passes and works
air-tight; and the lower end of the piece A, is formed with a flange for
connecting thereto the lower end of the piece B. The upper end of this
piece B, has a cover E, fixed air-tight thereto, same being formed with
two holes F, and G, which are surmounted by a casting H, fixed air-
tight upon the cover E, by the side of which the upper part of the rod
D, passes and works air-tight, said rod being employed for imparting
reciprocating motion to a hollow piston C, fixed upon the rod D. The
lower part of the piston C, is immersed in water, and is thus rendered
air-tight, and the upper end of said piston has a hole formed therein,
into which one end of an elastic tube K, is fixed; the other and opposite
end of said tube being fixed into the hole F, in the cover E; such said
tube being employed for establishing a communication between the
under side of the piston C, and the parts Z, and Z', of the casting H,
through the medium of the valves L, and L'; the opening G, being
employed for establishing a coinmunication between the upper side of
the piston C, and the parts Z3, and Z', of the casting H, through the
medium of the valves M, M'. It will be seen upon referring to
Figures 5, and 6, that the casting H, is formed with partitions X, X, X,
thereby forming three distinct and separate compartments 1, 2, 3, in
said casting. The compartments 1, and 2, have bent pipes N, and N',
connected thereto, which are in connection with the pipe e, of the con-
denser; and the compartment 3, has a bent syphon pipe O, connected
thereto, the other and opposite end whereof is inserted into a vessel or
box P, shewn at Sheet 1, containing either sulphuric or muriatic acid;

page_text: and I employ said box, which I call a washer, for collecting the
ammoniacal gases, which, combining with the acid, form ammoniacal
salts. P1, is another and similar vessel to that marked P. These two
vessels are connected together by a pipe Q; and there is another
pipe R, connected to the top of the vessel P¹, for conducting the gas
therefrom into the gasometer S, by means of the slide T, and bent
pipe U, as exhibited. V, V, are pipes for introducing ammoniacal
water into the vessels P, and P1, to which a gasometer of the ordinary
construction is connected.
The operations of this apparatus are as follows:-The two ovens are
first heated to a temperature of about 900 degrees of Fahrenheit's
thermometer by kindling a fire upon the sole thereof, and then about
three tons of coal are placed in one of the ovens through the opening
N. During this operation of charging the oven the stopper T, is raised
and a communication thus established between the inside of this oven
and the main flue or chimney; the opening N, is then closed by the
plate O, which is luted and made air-tight; and when all the air is
expelled from the oven, which may be effected by leaving the stopper
T, up for a few minutes after the oven is charged and the opening is
made air-tight, I then screw down the stopper T, so as to cut off the
communication between the main flue and the inside of the oven; and
having done this, I then lift up the slide valve G, so as to establish a
direct communication between the inside of the oven and the artificial
draught apparatus marked A; and I impart to the piston of such said:
apparatus reciprocating motion in any convenient manner, the effect
of which is as follows:-Supposing the piston to be at half stroke.
as exhibited, and the sliding valve H, to be open, the gas from the oven
will enter the chambers 1, and C, through the valve M, and thereby fill
said chambers, and by forcing the piston downwards the gas which is in
the chamber C¹, will be forced up the elastic tube K, and thereby close
the valve L', and open the valve L; and in this manner and by these
means the gas is expelled, and entering the chamber 3, passes from thence
along the pipe O, into the washing apparatus B, hereafter described;
and simultaneously with the downward movement of the piston C, and
the expelling of the gas from beneath it, the space above the piston

page_text: will be increased, and thereby cause a partial vacuum above the piston;
the effect of this will be to cause the gas from the oven to pass the
valve M, and fill such said space, and by thus compelling the gas to
enter such said space I cause an artificial draught in the oven, and by
a reverse movement of the piston the gas will be expelled from the
chamber C, and a partial vacuum be formed in the chamber C, thereby
compelling the gas from the oven to enter therein, as before stated with
reference to the chamber C2; and thus it will been seen that so long as
reciprocating movement is imparted to the piston C, it will be con-
tinually exhausting the gas from the oven, and forcing it through
the pipes 0, 0, into the washing apparatus B; and in this manner
and by these means I effect artificial draught in the oven when the
communication between the main flue or chimney and the inside of the
oven is cut off by the closing of the stopper T. The construction of
the washing apparatus marked B, is as follows:-P, P, are rectangular
shaped wooden boxes, lined inside with lead, the tops thereof being
suitably covered and made air-tight. V, V, are pipes for introducing
either sulphuric or muriatic acid into said boxes. W, W, are cocks for
drawing off the saturated acid from the boxes, as occasion may require.
X, X, are glass tubes or gagges for ascertaining the level of the liquid
in the aforesaid boxes. The gas which is accumulated in the chamber
3, of the artificial draught apparatus before mentioned passes along
the pipe O, into the box P, and passing through the acid is again acted
upon by the acid in the box P', by which time it is sufficiently purified
to be used for the purpose of heating or lighting, and when used for the
latter the gas passes through the syphon pipe R, into the gasometer S,
which may be of the ordinary construction. And in order to effect
the extraction of the gaseous and other volatile and bituminous
matters from the coal in the oven I subject it to heat for about four
hours, but to effect complete carbonization I allow the heat to operate
upon the coal for about forty hours, and after having extracted and
collected the gascous, bituminous, and ammoniacal products in the
manner and by the means herein-before stated, I then raise the stop-
per T, so as to establish a communication between the inside of the
oven and the main flue or chimney, and afterwards remove from the

page_text: oven the coke thus made, which is now ready for use. And in operating
upon the coal in one oven for forty hours, as before stated, I charge the
second oven about twenty hours after charging the first oven, and by
causing the flame from one oven to pass along the flues C', C2, in
the direction of the arrow's flight, I thereby impart heat to the sole of
the adjoining oven, and thus in combination with the artificial draught
before mentioned I am enabled to obtain a temperature of about 900
degrees of Fahrenheit's thermometer underneath the sole of the oven,
whereby I prevent what in France is technically termed by coke manu-
facturers "pied de four," by obviating the accumulation of black deposit
from the coke upon the sole of the oven, which would otherwise take
place, and prevent that portion of the mass which is in immediate con-
tact with the bottom of the oven from being coked or carbonized. And,
further, I obtain ammoniacal products and tars called mineral; whereas
by employing a temperature from five hundred to six hundred degrees,
I then only obtain acetic acids and ligneous tars, which are of consi-
derably less value than the former products. And I would here remark
that in manufacturing coke specially intended for the use of loco-
motive engines I propose, about two hours before carbonization has
taken place, to introduce steam into the oven, through a tube perforated
with innumerable small holes, by which I am enabled not only to pro-
duce a certain quantity of hydrogen and oxide of carbon, but I also
effectually clear and remove the sulphur from the coke, and by thus
freeing the coke from the sulphuretted hydrogen which it contained I
preserve the engines, and get rid of the objectionable effluvia which
would otherwise be emitted by the use of coke as hitherto manufac-
tured, and coke thus manufactured will be found particularly adapted
to the treatment or working of minerals.
Having now described the mode by which my Invention of improve-
ments in the manufacture of coke is to be and may be carried into
practical effect, and the apparatus connected therewith for collecting
the gaseous and other products resulting from such carbonizing process,
I now proceed to describe the mode of treating such said other pro-
ducts, as follows:-
And, firstly, as regards the tar which is collected, I operate upon it

page_text: so as to obtain oils therefrom by placing it in a distilling apparatus
of the construction exhibited at Sheet 5, where A, marks a furnace
in brickwork, in which is set a retort B. C, is a mouth or opening
affording access to the interior of the retort for cleansing the same
D, is a pipe furnished with a cock d, for conveying the tar from
the reservoir E, to the interior of the retort. F, an eduction pipe
for conveying the products of distillation from the retort into and
through the spiral pipe or worm G, situate in the condenser H. I, a
pipe furnished with a cock K, for removing the pitchy residue from
the retort. L, a thermometer for ascertaining the temperature of the
retort. The operations of this apparatus are conducted as follows:-
By subjecting the tar to a heat indicated by eighty degrees of the
thermometer volatile oils of from thirty to thirty-two degrees of light-
ness may be obtained. And by operating upon the tar at a temperature
of one hundred and fifty degrees volatile oil of a mean weight of twenty-
five degrees may be obtained; and I would remark, that it is only at
high temperatures, as before stated, that a mixture of light and heavy
coals can be obtained, and at a temperature of from one hundred and
eighty to two hundred degrees oils known and distinguished as fat or
fixed oils can be obtained. The several oils thus obtained are applicable
to various useful purposes. For example, the oils obtained at thirty and
thirty-two degrees of lightness may be used with advantage as a
substitute for the spirit of turpentine at present employed in and for
the manufacture of varnishes, and will be found infinitely superior
thereto, as they will give to the varnish remarkable siccific and flexible
properties. The other oils may be used with advantage in and for the
manufacture of paints. And I would remark, that oils thus obtained
being free from napthaline, and consequently when burned giving off
no smoke, are well calculated for the purposes of lighting or illumi-
nation; whereas the oils obtained in the ordinary manner from coal
tar, when employed for lighting, give off large quantities of smoke, and
are therefore more fit for the manufacture of lamp black than for
lighting.
Secondly, as regards the ammoniacal waters which are collected in
the condensers marked W, W, at Figure 1, of Sheet 1. and Figure 7. of

page_text: Sheet 4, I operate upon them by evaporation for the purpose of separa-
ting therefrom the ammoniacal salts which they contain; and this I effect
by subjecting such said ammoniacal waters to the operations of satura-
tion and sublimation in an apparatus of the construction exhibited at
Figure 11, of Sheet 6, in the following manner; that is to say, I take the
aminoniacal waters, and mix therewith in a suitable vessel the saturated
sulphuric acid which has been formed in the vessels marked P. P', at
Figure 1, of Sheet 1, in the proportion of about from 2 to 6 per cent.
of the acid to the ammoniacal waters, by which I produce a neutral
liquid or mixture of concentrated acids of a density represented by
No. 10, of Beaume's aerometer, and I place such said neutral liquid in
a reservoir marked A, at Figure 11, of Sheet 6, and operate thereon
in an evaporating pan of the construction exhibited at Sheet 6,
where B, is a leaden boiler or pan, the bottom whereof is formed
corrugated, and rests upon a plate of metal C, set in the brickwork of
the furnace D; and I incline the bottom of such said pan or boiler for,
the purpose of causing the liquid to be continually flowing over the
corrugated surface thereof during the process of evaporation; and I
supply the said pan with the liquid from the reservoir A, by means of
a cock E, by which I am enabled to regulate to a nicety the quantity,
admitted; and I employ a gutter F, perforated with innumerable holes
for the purpose of infinitely dividing the body of liquid admitted into
the pan for effecting the more speedy evaporation of the liquid when
submitted to the action of heat from the fire of the furnace D, acting
upon the plate C. Thus it will be seen, that by the time the liquid.
has arrived at the opposite end of the boiler or pan to that at which it
was introduced its density will be doubled or increased in proportion
to the quantity which passes over the corrugated bottom and the
temperature employed, which for general purposes need not exceed 80
or 100 degrees.
And in using the above-mentioned apparatus for producing sulphate
of ammonia and muriate of ammonia by the direct combination of
the ammonical waters or products of carbonization with acids, as before
stated, I proceed as follows:-In order to obtain sulphate of ammonia,.
the same may be effected by placing in the boiler or pan above men-

page_text: tioned sulphuric acid in the proportion of two to six per cent. of the
acid. And in order to obtain muriate of ammonia, the same may be
effected by employing muriatic acid instead of sulphuric acid, as
before stated, and in the same proportions.
And as regards that part of my said Invention which relates to the
manufacture of coke from turf, or other vegetable, ligneous, and bitu-
minous matters, and the mode of collecting and treating the products
obtained during such carbonizing process, I employ for such purposes
apparatus of the construction exhibited at Sheet 4, Figure 7; where A,
represents an oven; B, a condenser; C, an artificial draught apparatus ;
D, a washing apparatus; E, a gasometer.
And first, as regards the construction of the oven A, it is as follows:
-A, is the ash-hole; B, the furnace; C. C, vent holes or openings
communicating with a chamber D, which surrc ands the body of the
oven E, by which the flame and heat from the furnace is caused to cir-
culate around the sides and top of the oven, whilst the scle F, of the
oven, which also serves to form the top of the furnace, is heated by the
fire therein. G, is a flue communicating with the chimney. The sole
of the oven and furnace, as also the crown and sides thereof, are of fire
bricks, whilst the other parts are of ordinary bricks. II, H, are pipes
for conducting the products of the carbonization into the condenser B,
which is composed of a series of pipes a, a, connected together and
arranged and disposed side by side in a vessel b, containing water. c, is
a curved pipe communicating with a horizontal pipe d, which is con-
nected to the lower end of the pipes a, a; said curved pipe c, being
employed for discharging from the condenser into a cistern the oils
which accumulate therein from time to time during the process of
carbonization.
The gases are exhausted from the oven by the artificial draught appa-
ratus marked C, the construction of which will be better understood by
referring to Figures 8, 9, and 10, where A, A', are metal cylinders, each
open at one end. The closed end of the cylinder A, is securely fixed to
the flanges of pipes B, B'; the pipe B, is in connection with the pipes a,
of the condenser, and the pipe B', is in connection with the washing ap-
paratus D; the upper ends of each of the pipes B, and B', are furnished

page_text: with induction and eduction valves C, and C; and finally these valves
and pipes are covered by the cylinder A', the upper and closed end
whereof has a rod D, affixed thereto; and the other end of such said
rod is connected to one end of a vibrating beam E, supported by a
column F, and from the other and opposite end of such said beam
another and similar cylinder A¹, is suspended and employed in
combination with other similar parts to those before-mentioned and
marked B, B, C, C¹; and the pipes B, and B', are connected
together and to their respective induction and eduction pipes by
branch pipes G, G. The operations of this artificial draught appa-
ratus are as follows:-Suppose the apparatus to be in the position ex-
hibited at Figure 9, the raising of the cylinder A', (which is rendered
air-tight by working in water,) will cause a partial vacuum to be
formed in the pipes which are between the said cylinder and the
interior of the oven, and thus compel the gaseous and other volatile
matters to pass through such said pipes, and fill the space between the
surface of the water and the interior of the cylinder, and by depressing
the elevated end of the beam E, (which may be effected in any con-
venient and suitable manner,) the gaseous and other volatile products
being thus compressed will be expelled from the cylinder through the
pipe B¹, into the washing apparatus D, which is constructed with solid
plates of metal H, placed across the vessel I, which contains the acid
employed for purifying the gas, care being taken to charge the vessel I,
with acid above the bottom edges of the plates H, and thus compel the
gas to pass successively through the acid and into the several compart-
ments thus formed the plates H, and thereby ensure the purifying of
the gas before it enters the gasometer, which is of the ordinary con-
struction, and into which the gas passes through the pipes K.
I would here remark that although I have described and exhibited the
above-mentioned apparatus as applied to this part of my said Invention,
I prefer the apparatus exhibited at Figures 5, and 6, of Sheet 3. The
mode of operating with the above-mentioned apparatus is as follows:-
A fire is kindled in the furnace B, and the oven is heated to a tempera-
ture of about five hundred degrees of Fahrenheit's thermometer (the
damper of the chimney being open during such time), and when

page_text: thoroughly heated the turf is placed therein, the oven being charged
about two thirds full through the cpening I, which opening is after-
wards closed and luted in a similar manner to that before mentioned
and described with reference to the oven exhibited at Sheet 1. The
damper of the chimney is then closed, and the artificial draught
apparatus C, set in motion, by which the gaseous and other volatile
matters will be made to pass through the apparatus in the order
exhibited by the Drawing; and when the oven has been exhausted of
all the said gaseous and other volatile matters which are given off* from
the turf, or other vegetable, ligneous, or bituminous matters, during the
process of carbonization, the coke thus made is removed from the oven,
and the oven again charged with turf, or other vegetable, ligneous, or
bituminous matters, to be operated upon as before mentioned.
And as regards the other products resulting from the lastly above-
mentioned mode of manufacturing coke, namely, the paraphine am-
moniacal waters and oils thus obtained, I would remark that the
paraphine (which should be quickly separated from the other products)
may be employed with advantage in and for the manufacture of tapers
for the transmission of artificial light, and will be found to possess
remarkable brightness; and, as regards the oils, they may be employed
for lighting and for other purposes.
Having now described the nature of my said Invention, and in what
manner the same is to be and may be performed, I declare that part
of my said Invention which has reference to the manufacture of coke
from coals, turf, and other vegetable, ligneous, and bituminous matters to
consist in, and I claim as my Invention of improvements in the
manufacture of coke, and in the apparatus connected therewith,-
Firstly, the arrangement and construction of the ovens exhibited at
Sheets 1, and 4, and the apparatus exhibited at Sheets 3, and 4, for
causing artificial draught therein, or any modification thereof by which
the same results may be obtained; and,
Secondly, the combining of such said ovens and artificial draught
apparatus with a condenser and purifiers so as to constitute an entire
apparatus for the manufacture of coke, for the purpose of securing and
rendering useful certain products which heretofore have been dissipated

page_text: and lost, as herein-before particularly described, set forth, and represented
at the several Figures of Sheets 1, and 4, of the illustrative Drawings
hereunto annexed.
Thirdly, I claim as improvements in the manufacture of coke from
coals the introducing of steam into and amongst the mass under process
of carbonization, for the purpose of divesting it of the sulphuretted
hydrogen contained therein.
And as regards that part of my said Invention which has reference to
the treating of the products obtained therefrom, that is to say, during
the above-mentioned processes of carbonization or conversion of such
said matters into coke, I claim the apparatus exhibited at Sheets 5,
and 6, of the illustrative Drawings hereunto annexed, or any modification
thereof by which the same results may be obtained, and the mode
herein-before particularly described of operating upon and treating such
said products with such said apparatus for the purpose of obtaining the
results set forth.
In witness whereof, I, the said Mathieu Maurice de Bergevin,
have hereunto set my hand and seal, this Seventeenth day of
February, in the year of our Lord One thousand eight hundred
and fifty-four.
A. M. M. DE BERGEVIN. (L.S.)
Witness,
ALEX PRINCE,
Patent Agent,
4, Trafalgar Square,
London.