Improvements in Artificial Fuel.
Year: 1889

page_text: Date of Application, 14th May, 1889
Complete Specification Left, 27th Dec., 1889-Accepted, 14th May, 1890
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Artificial Fuel.
I, AMBROSE MYALL of 21 Cockspur Street, S. W., in the County of Middlesex, Civil
Engineer do hereby declare the nature of this invention which has been communi-
cated to me from abroad, by James H. Lancaster of the City, County, and State of
New York, United States of America, Engineer to be as follows:-
My invention relates to a new and improved fuel composition, which I term
"Sestalit," for combustion in stoves and other receptacles without flues, and which is
compressed into lumps, blocks, balls, or cakes, and used as a substitute for coal, oil,
gas, or other heating agents for domestic or other purposes, the composition having
the quality and properties of burning slowly and continuously without flame, or
emitting any smoke, or noxious gases; or vapours, yet yielding an intense, pure, and
uniform heat.
The invention consists of a fuel composition, which is composed of any suitable
carbonaceous substance, preferably pulverised and specially treated charcoal, coke, or
anthracite coal, and also starch, saltpetre and powdered manganese, preferably the
peroxide.
The method of compounding the ingredients is as follows :-I take one hundred
pounds of pulverised charcoal, which has been reburnt to expel all gases and vapours,
or re-calcined coke, and mix with three pounds and a half of saltpetre; three pounds
of starch, which is made in a thin paste by the addition of water; and one half of a
pound of maganese poroxide. These ingredients by means of suitable agitators, are
mixed with water in a sufficient quantity to produce a plastic composition, the starch
imparting the proper degree of adhesiveness to the mass when the same has been
compressed into moulds, while the saltpetre supplies the necessary oxygen for making
it burn with little draught and producing pure combustion. To produce a perfectly
odorless, flameless, and healthful basis for my composite fuel, I take by preference,
ordinary commercial wood charcoal, (although coke may be substituted) and place it
in suitable retorts, or calcining ovens, or otherwise submit the said carbonaceous
substances to a sufficient heat, either before, during pulverisation, or afterwards, to
expel all possible vapors, impurities, and gases that it might contain, and thus obtain
as practically pure a carbonaceous substance as is possible.
The powdered manganese serves to absorb and neutralise any slight smell that the
starch may possibly produce and also to some extent for retarding the too quick
burning of the artificially prepared fuel composition, the same being employed in a
somewhat lesser quantity when used with reburnt coke or anthracite coal, while a
larger quantity is usually required when my specially prepared vegetable charcoal
is used. The mass, after being thoroughly mixed, is run or pressed into moulds, or
passed through suitable rollers and compressed into blocks, lumps, balls, cones, or
cakes, of the desired size and shape which may be either perforated or solid.
The lumps, blocks, or cakes, are then dried with a gentle heat, in a suitably
constructed drying chamber until all moisture is entirely evaporated, or expelled
therefrom. They burn slowly and continuously for a long period with a very slight
draught, and without emitting any smoke, noxious gases or flame, and yet at the
same time yield an intense and steady volume of heat. The fuel can be readily ignited
by means of a spirit lamp, or by holding it over a gas jet, or even by a match, and then
continues to burn slowly with a bright and cheerful glow, so that it is adapted to be
used in flueless stoves or open vessels and likewise for supplying heat to my liquid-
vacuum and other motors and also in sad-irons, plumbers' furnaces, foot-warmers,
heating and cooking stoves, conservatories, railway and other carriage heaters, and for
various chemical, manufacturing, ventilating and other purposes.

page_text: In artificial fuel containing charcoal, or coke, as hitherto made, ordinary charcoal
or coke has been employed, which in its present commercial and customary condition
contains either free or latent and deleterious gases and vapors, but by my new
process and system of retreatment and recalcination these gases and vapors are
eliminated and the charcoal or coke rendered practically pure and the composite fuel
made with this recalcined charcoal, or coke, is not injurious to either animal or
vegetable life.
Dated this 14th day of Nov 1900
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Artificial Fuel.
I AMBROSE MYALL of 21 Cockspur Street S. W. in the County of Middlesex, Civil
Engineer do hereby declare the nature of this invention which has been commu-
nicated to me from abroad by James H. Lancaster of the City County and State of
New York, United States of America, Engineer and in what manner the same is
to be performed to be particularly described and ascertained in and by the following
statement:
My invention relates to a new and improved "Fuel Composition" which I term
"Sestalit," for combustion in stoves, ranges, foot-warmers, sad irons, car heaters
and other receptacles, with or without flues or chimneys, and which is compressed
into suitably shaped lumps, blocks, balls or cakes, and used as a substitute for coal,
coke, oil, gas and other heating agents for domestic and other purposes, the said
"Fuel Composition" having the quality and properties of burning slowly and
continuously without flame or emitting any offensive smoke or noxious gases, vapors
or odors, yet yielding an intense and uniform heat of great purity.
The invention consists of an artificially prepared fuel composition, which is composed
of any suitable carbonaceous substance, preferably that of powdered and specially
treated and re-burnt or re-calcined wood, peat, or other charcoal or coke, and also
starch and either saltpetre or acetate of lead or a mixture of both and powdered
manganese, preferably the peroxide.
The method of compounding the ingredients, is preferably as follows:-I take one
hundred pounds of finely powdered charcoal or other suitable carbonaceous substance,
which has been re-burnt or re-calcined in a suitable retort or furnace to expel all
gases, odors and vapors therefrom, or re-calcined coke, peat, or other carbonaceous
substance or mixtures thereof, and mix therewith (when dissolved in water) about
three and a half pounds of saltpetre; three and a half pounds of starch, which has
been suitably boiled and liquified by additional water; and about one and a half
pounds of manganese peroxide. The dissolved saltpetre, or acetate of lead or
mixture thereof, and also the powdered manganese, I mix with the boiled starch,
and this mixture is then gradually and continuously passed into the pug-mill or
agitator containing the powdered carbonaceous and other substances, and the whole
is thus mixed and pressed out of same into moulds or otherwise as desired.
a
These ingredients are, (by means of suitable agitators) mixed with a sufficient
additional quantity of water to produce a plastic composition resembling a stiff
mortar, the starch imparting the proper degree of adhesiveness to the mass, when the
same has been compressed into moulds or otherwise made into cakes or blocks..
While either the saltpetre or acetate of lead or both supplies the necessary oxygen
for making it burn with little draught and producing better combustion, the powdered
peroxide of manganese assimilates with the other ingredients, and tends to neutralize
all odors, and also in other ways assists in producing the desired results.
To produce a perfectly odorless, flameless and healthful basis for my composite
fuel, I take by preference, ordinary commercial wood charcoal, (although coke or
even peat charcoal or coke and wood charcoal mixed together, answer the same purpose)

page_text: and after passing it through crushing rollers, I convey this carbonaceous substance
through suitable retorts, calcining ovens, roasting cylinders or otherwise submit the
said carbonaceous substances to sufficient heat (either before or after pulverization) to
expel all possible vapors, odors and gases that it might possibly contain and thus
obtain as practically pure and wholesome a carbonaceous substance as is possible.
Into the re-calcining retorts I may admit steam or air, or any suitable chemical
may be forced, placed or injected and brought into direct contact with the said
carbonaceous substances, or the gases arising therefrom for the purpose of better
purifying the same..
The powdered manganese peroxide helps to absorb and neutralize any slight smell
that the starch might possibly produce, and also to some extent, retard the too quick
burning of this artificially prepared fuel composition, the same being employed in a
somewhat lesser quantity with the powdered coke, peat charcoal or calcined anthracite
coal, while a somewhat larger quantity is usually required when my specially prepared
vegetable or other charcoal is used." When powdered coke is used, an increased
proportional quantity of saltpetre or acetate of lead or a mixture of both is needed,
but which is governed by the nature of the coke or peat used. The mass, after being
thoroughly moistened and mixed, is run or pressed into moulds direct. from the
pugging or mixing mill, or passed through suitable rollers or otherwise formed, sliced
or compressed into blocks, lumps, balls, cones or cakes of the desired shape and size,
and which may be either perforated or be made solid.
The lumps, blocks or cakes are then dried in a suitable drying chamber, with a
gentle heat, until all moisture is entirely evaporated or expelled therefrom. They
burn slowly and continuously for a long period with a very slight draught and
practically without emitting any smoke, noxious gases, smell or flame, and yet at the
same time, yield an intense, steady and uniform volume of heat. The fuel can be
readily ignited by means of a spirit lamp, or by holding it over a gas jet, or even by
a match, and it then continues to burn slowly with a bright and cheerful glow, so that
it is well adapted to be used in flueless stoves, or in receptacles placed in open fire
grates or open vessels, and likewise for supplying heat to my liquid-vacuum and other
motors, and also for use in sad irons or flat-irons, plumber's furnaces, foot-warmers,
heating and cooking stoves, conservatories, railway and other carriage heaters and for
various chemical, manufacturing, ventilating and other purposes.
In artificial fuel containing charcoal or coke as hitherto made, ordinary charcoal or
coke has been employed, but which in its usual commercial and customary condition
contains either free or latent and deleterious gases and vapors, but which by my new
process and system of re-treatment, or re-burning or re-calcination in suitable retorts,
ovens or furnaces, these gases, vapors and impurities are eliminated and the charcoal
or coke rendered practically pure, and therefore the composite fuel made either with
this re-calcined wood charcoal, coke, peat, charcoal or any mixture of various
carbonaceous substances, is not injurious to either animal or vegetable life.
It must be obvious, however, that the proportions of the ingredients herein stated,
may be varied according to the nature, mixture of and condition of the carbonaceous
substances used, and that I can substitute a similar quantity of acetate of lead for the
saltpetre, or use alone equal parts of each, and that such may be done without
departing from spirit, objects or principles of my invention.
By preference I manufacture my composite fuel by one continuous process in an
apparatus and machinery designed by me expressly therefor.
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 :-
1. The system, method, treatment or preparation of either vegetable, animal or
mineral charcoal, coke, peat-charcoal or other carbonaceous substances or a mixture
thereof, by re-calcining or re-burning the same in suitable calciners or retorts, or by
otherwise depriving the said charcoal, coke, peat or other carbonaceous substance of
its latent or free gases and impurities for the purpose of producing a practically

page_text: smokeless and gasless composite fuel, substantially as. and in the manner described
and for the purposes specified.
.
2. The herein described fuel composition, consisting of powdered vegetable, mineral
or other charcoal or coke, or other suitable carbonaceous substance or mixture thereof,
and starch, salt petre and powdered manganese, substantially in the proportions
specified and in the manner described and for the purposes set forth.
3. The herein described fuel composition, consisting of powdered vegetable, mineral
or other charcoal or coke, or other suitable carbonaceous substance or mixture thereof,
and acetate of lead, starch and powdered manganese, substantially in the proportions
specified and in the manner described and for the purposes set forth.
4. The herein described fuel composition, consisting of powdered vegetable, mineral
or other, charcoal, or coke or other suitable carbonaceous substance or mixture thereof,
and starch, powdered manganese and a mixture of saltpetre and acetate of lead,
substantially in the proportions specified and in the manner described and set forth.
December 20th 1889.
AMBROSE MYALL.