Improvements in Furnaces for use in the manufacturo the Generation of Steam, or for other Purposes.
Year: 1887

page_text: Date of Application, 8th Nov., 1887
Complete Specification Left, 1st Aug., 1888
Complete Specification Accepted, 7th Sept., 1888
Improvements in Furnaces for use in the manufacturo
the Generation of Steam, or for other Purposes.
I FREDERICK JOSEPH THOMPSON of Aston Villa Hartford near Northwich in the
County of Chester, Salt Works Manager, do hereby declare the nature of the said
invention for IMPROVEMENTS IN FURNACES FOR USE IN THE MANUFACTURE OF SALT
OR IN THE GENERATION OF STEAM OR FOR OTHER PURPOSES to be as follows:-
This invention has for its object certain improvements in the generation of heat
from coal or other fuel as applied to the manufacture of salt, steam boilers, iron
furnaces and furnaces of every description by means of an improved furnace in which
the essential features which constitute my Invention are:-An arrangement of the
grate bars in the furnace, these being placed at such an angle from the horizontal as
to allow the fire as it burns to slowly settle towards the lower end of the bars.
A space at the lower end of the grate bars to allow the egress of the scoria and
refuse from the fire (a portion of which will remain there, for the purpose of supporting
the fire) and also for the admission of air for the purpose of effecting a more perfect
combustion of the fuel.
An arrangement in the building of the front or outer casing of the fire-place for
firing which does away with the ordinary necessity for furnace doors by which also
fuel is partially consumed before passing into the fire place and which arrangement
also admits air to assist in the consumption of smoke and other inflammable gases.
By the improvements set forth I claim a more perfect combustion of fuel thereby
effecting a great saving in fuel and in labour of firing; also great economy in con-
struction of the furnace and a considerable reduction in wear and tear and repairs;
also an almost entire absence of smoke and other deleterious gases, and also that an
inferior quality of fuel may be used with satisfactory results.
TO LILLA Samanth day of Navamshan 1887

page_text: -
Figure 1 is a plan shewing the general arrangement as applied to a salt pan.
Figure 2 is a sectional elevation through line A. B. on figure 1.
Figure 3 is a front elevation of figure 1. through X X.
Figuro 4 is an enlarged section of a furnace through A. B. on figure 1.
Figure 5 is an enlarged front elevation of one furnace on line X. X. on figure 1.
Figures 6 and 7 shew an application of the furnace to an internally fired boiler.
With reference to the drawings d is the coking plate and b is the hooked firebar,
both of which are supported on the bearers c. E is a brickwork bridge and F is a
salt pan or steam boiler as the case may be. G are the pillars and walls which
support the salt pan. S is the space at the lower end of the grate bars to allow the
egress of the scoria and refuse from the fire and for the admission of air, and H is
a shelf or hob of brickwork or other material under the space S to support that
portion of the scoria which remains there as a support for the fire. m shews the
space in the front part of the furnace through which the fuel is passed into the furnace
and which also admits air.

page_text: When the furnace is in operation the space S is filled with refuse or scoria and
the fire rests on the hooked bars b. b. the fresh fuel is thrown on the coking plate d. d.
and the space m. is filled up with fuel, the heat from the fire on the bars causes
the fuel on the lower part of the coking plate to coke, and the gases so extracted
are consumed in passing over the fire. As the fire burns it settles down to the
lower end of the bars b. b. and the coked fuel from the coking plate d. falls on the
bars, fresh fuel being added in the space m. the scoria and refuse is raked out
through the space S. The fire passes in the usual way over the bridge E through
the flues O on to the chimney.
By the improvements set forth the following advantageous results are obtained :-
A more perfect combustion of fuel, thereby effecting a great saving in fuel and in
labour of firing: also great economy in the construction of the furnace and a con-
siderable reduction in wear and tear and repairs; also an almost entire absence of
smoke and other deleterious gases emitted from the chimney, and also that an inferior
quality of fuel may be used with satisfactory results.
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 employment of sloping or inclined grate bars in the furnaces of salt pans,
steam boilers, or in other furnaces.
2. The use in furnaces of salt pans, steam boilers etc. of a hooked firebar.
3. The arrangement of the firebars by which the scoria and refuse are emitted or
drawn from the fire without any disturbance of the fire.
4. The arrangement of the firebars and the bridge by which an admission of air
into the furnace is obtained.
5. The introduction in the furnace of a coking plate.
6. The arrangement of the front of the furnace by which the ordinary necessity
for furnace doors is abolished and by which also air is admitted for the combustion
of the fuel.
Dated this 31st day of July 1888.