IMPROVEMENTS IN AND RELATING TO THE TREATMENT AND UTILISATION OF FUEL IN THE OBTAINMENT OF FUEL PRODUCTS, AND IN APPARATUS AND PROCESSES THEREFOR, ALSO IN FURNACES AND OTHER APPARATUS AND PROCESSES IN WHICH FUEL 18 USED FOR REFINING METALS AND OTHER SUBSTANCES." PROAL SPECIFICATION
Year: 1880

page_text: .
LETTERS PATENT to William Gorman, of Glasgow, in the County of Lanark,
North Britain, Engineer, for an Invention of " IMPROVEMENTS IN AND
RELATING TO THE TREATMENT AND UTILISATION OF FUEL IN THE OBTAINMENT
OF FUEL PRODUCTS, AND IN APPARATUS AND PROCESSES THEREFOR, ALSO IN
FURNACES AND OTHER APPARATUS AND PROCESSES IN WHICH FUEL 18 USED
FOR REFINING METALS AND OTHER SUBSTANCES."
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said William Gorman at the Office
of the Commissioners of Patents on the 14th July 1880.
WILLIAM GORMAN, of Glasgow, in the County of Lanark, North Britain,
Engineer. "IMPROVEMENTS IN AND RELATING TO THE TREATMENT AND
UTILISATION OF FUEL IN THE OBTAINMENT OF FUEL PRODUCTS, AND IN
APPARATUS AND PROCESSES THEREFOR, ALSO IN FURNACES AND OTHER APPARATUS
AND PROCESSES IN WHICH FUEL IS USED FOR REFINING METALS AND OTHER
SUBSTANCES."
In treating fuel, vis, coal, wood, peat, or other carbonaceous substances, by this
Invention the fuel to be treated is filled into upright chambers, which chambers
may have grates, twyers, or openings at or near their bottom through which air is
supplied for combustion, which air may be hot or cold or mixed with steam or
carbonaceous gases. The heat and gases produced from combustion of the coke or
charcoal at the bottom of the column of fuel ascend and expel the volatile gases or
vapours from tlie fuel, but instead of allowing the products of combustion to päss
up through the whole column of fuel in the usual manner, they are withdrawn at a
lower level. The heat ascends the column of fuel and expels the volatile gases or
vapours therefrom, and that in the order of the temperature at which they are
expelled from fuel by heat, viz., the hydrogen and oxygen gases aro expelled at
the lowest heat, and hydro-carbons and hydrogen gases in their örder as the
temperature is raised, so that by closing the top of the chamber containing the fuel
with a cup and cone or other suitable valve or apparatus for charging, and providing
exit passages with regulating valves at or near the top, the aqueous products of
the distillation of fuel may to a great extent be obtained separately from the
carbonaceous or oily products, and by providing exit passages with regulating

page_text: valves at a lower level the oily or tarry products may be obtained separately to a
great extent from the non-condensible gases, which are expelled from the fuel at a
higher temperature, and which again may also be withdrawn to a great extent
separately by providing exit passages at a still lower level. Thus the products of
combustion or partial combustion of the solid part of fuel may be withdrawn at a
level a few feet above the grates or openings or twyers used for burning the solid
part of the fuel, the permanent gases of the fuel at a higher level, the condensible
oil and tar gases at a still higher, and the aqueous and ammoniacal gases at the
top, by which means the several gaseous products of the fuel may be obtained
separately and utilized or applied to the purposes for which they are best adapted.
For instance, the gases produced by the combustion of the solid part of the fuel
may be burned with a further supply of air for heating reverberatory or other
similar furnaces, or for heating air or raising steam; the permanent combustible
gases may also be burned for the above purposes, or they may be led away and
purified for illuminating purposes.
The condensible gases may be obtained to a great extent separately from the
forementioned, as aforesaid, and may be condensed to procuro the products due to
the particular kind of fuel employed. And thus coal, wood, peat, shale, the refuse
of towns, and other carbonaceous substances may be caused to yield their liquid
and gaseous matters, as desired, in an economical manner.
When coke or charcoal is to be produced from fuel air is supplied at a higher
level, so as to burn part of the permanent gases for producing heat to effect the
carbonization of the fuel. The products of combustion may be caused to ascend
through flues exterior to the said chamber, and by heating the same to assist in
expelling the gases from the fuel, or they may be forced downwards through the
fuel for its carbonization and out through openings at or near the bottom of
the chamber, forming combustible gases, which may be led away for heating other
furnaces. The heat produced ascends and drives off the gaseous parts of the fuel,
the condensible parts of which may be withdrawn at a higher level for condensation
as aforesaid. The coke or charcoal may be withdrawn at the bottom for use from
--time to time; or the bottom of the-said chambers may be made deeper to admit of
grates or twyers or other openings through which air may be supplied to burn the
coke or charcoal, or part thereof, to form combustible gases, or to thorough'v
carbonize the coke or charcoal when being produced.
The above means of carbonizing fuel and utilizing the gaseous products a
applicable to the upper part of blast furnaces wherein the fuel is carbonized by
burning part of the permanent gases, as above provided for, and descends the main
barrel of the furnace along with the iron or iron producing materials, which are
filled in along with the fuel by a suitable closing apparatus as usual.
The products of the combustion descend and escape from the furnace togother
with the twyer gases at a suitable height and are led away for use, whilst the
condensible gases ascend and are withdrawn at or near the top, and may be led
through condensers for obtaining the liquid products as-above provided for.
The fuel chambers, as above described, which 1 call fucl converters, may be
worked by blast or draught and applied to heat furnaces or chambers placed in
conjunction or separately, in which metals are heated or inclted or ores are smelted.
Also metals or slag from blast or other furnaces or ingredients used for forming
glass, or for fluxing earths or metals, may be filled along with the fuel into the
converter, and being fused may flow into the bottom of the converter or aforesaid
chambers, and by their action assist in fluxing or melting or smelting the metals or
ores contained therein, which metals may be run out into hearths, pots, ladles, or
tanks, and may be covered and kept hot by gases from the converter (burned if
necessary) for refining, adding ferro manganeso or other mixing or fluxing or
carburizing material, as required.
The condensible gases of fuel may be condensed together or separately, and the
combustible gases from the volatile and solid part of the fuel may be used or

page_text: When coke or charcoal is used for heating, melting, or smelting metals with the
converter, as above provided for, or in blast smelting furnaces, the means for
separating or utilizing the volatile gaseous parts of fuel is dispensed with, not
being required, but part of the escaping gases from blast furnaces or gases from
other furnaces may be injected and burned in the upper part of smelting furnaces
to produce heat and reducing gases for reducing the ores and economising fuel;
those gases descend and escape from the furnace in the manner provided for in the
above smelting furnace hereinbefore described.
By the use of the converter metals, or their mixtures, or other fusible substance,
such as those used for bronzes, iron, steel, or glass, may be melted in pots or
crucibles contained in a casing, which may be lifted for pouring when of suitable
size, but when the crucibles are of large dimensions the metals are tapped, or ladled,
or lifted out as desired; also the crucibles or pots may be built of suitably moulded
and refractory metals.
In refining iron, the crude iron is filled into a converter with fuel and, when
required, fluxing agents for removing impurities. When fused the partially refined
iron is run into a puddling hearth, this hearth being heated by gases from tho
convertor, wherein it is finished and balled up in the usual manner, or the iron,
when melted, may be run into a raised hearth containing oxides of iron, and fluxing
inaterials for removing impurities.
In refining crude iron according to another modification by this Invention it is
fused in the apparatus hereinbefore described, or in apparatus heated by gases
proceeding therefrom, and run into a raised hearth having a silicious or other
refractory lining, where it is oporated on by blasts of hot or cold air introduced into
the molten iron by pipes or hollow bars so as to oxydize the silicon contained in
crude iron, or most part thereof; the oxydized silicon, silica, or slag floats on the
top of the iron.
Tho iron is tapped from below the slag and runs separately
therefrom into a lower hearth lined with oxydes of iron mixed with lime or other
basis or fluxes calculated to operate on the carbon and other extraneous substances
contained in the metal to the extent necessary to produce steel or iron as required.
When iron is required it may be balled up when it solidifies in this last hearth and
removed in the usual manner, or removable bottoms or hearths may be provided,
lined as above, and so arranged that when the iron is refined and becoines solid
the bottom may be removed from the furnace and emptied upon a trolly or other
carriage for conveyance to the haminer or rolls. When cast, ingot iron, or steel is
required, a hearth, lined as above or with refractory material is provided, into
which the iron, when desiliciurised, is run. The metal is not allowed to solidify, as
in the case of wrought iron or steal, but the heat is raised as the refining proceeds,
so that the steel or ingot iron is kept fluid, and is refined and run out of the hearth
and has speigleisen or ferro manganese added in the usual manner, forming cast steel
or ingot iron.
The ordinary means for heating air may be applied to the furnaces, but I prefer
to use refractory clay tubes or passages, through or over which the air to be
heated and the hot gases from which the heat is to be extracted aro passed.
preferable that the hot gases should pass through the passages in a downward
It is
direction, and that the air to be heated should enter the bottom series of passages
and rise upwards towards the top of the apparatus, but the air and gas currents
may be caused to assume any direction circumstances may render necessary.
Those passages may be tubular or any other suitable section with flanges at each
end, and also at intervals along the tubes when required. The flanges are of an
oblong or other suitable shapo, so that when the tubes are placed alongside
the spaces between them form a series of passages external to the tubes. so that
whilst the hot gases pass down through the tubes or passages the air may be caused
to cross and recross the tubes or passages, resulting in an upward direction, or the
hot gases may pass downwards outside of the tubes or passages, and the air may
pass through one series of passages and return through another alternately in an
upward direction.
•

page_text: Such tubes or passages have hitherto been placed horizontally, cach passage
being supported at the ends only, but by the present Invention when the passages
are placed horizontally they are supported by brickwork from below throughout
their length. The brickwork for supporting the passages is formed of wedge
shaped bricks arranged so as to have the bearing properties of an arch, with
openings corresponding to those of the passages to permit the escape of the waste
gases.
Hitherto the apparatus for heating air has been placed below puddling and
heating furnaces, but by the present Invention it is placed above ground, at the
end, or over, or above the furnace; also the passages have hitherto been placed
horizontally, but it is preferable in some cases to place them vertically, and in some
cases the passages may be joined by sockets or flanges, so that gravity will assist
in keeping the joints close together.
When it is desirable to obtain the whole heat from the fuel at once it is burned
on a grate in an enclosed furnace, and the air for the combustion of the gases is
heated by a series of gills or plates placed in front of the fire and supplied over
the fuel.
.
Valves aro employed for regulating the quantity of air passed through or over
the fire so as to ensure completo combustion with the smallest quantity of uir.
Those valves may be worked by hand on the opening of the fire door and by a
weight regulated by clockwork or other means of opening and closing the valves
as required.
This method of burning fuel may be applied to reverberatory and other furnaces
such as those for steam boilers.

page_text: SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed by
the said William Gorman in the Great Seal Patent Office on the 14th January
1881.
WILLIAM GORMAN, of Glasgow, in the County of Lanark, North Britain,
"IMPROVEMENTS
Engineer.
IN AND RELATING TO THE TREATMENT AND
UTILIZATION OF FUEL IN THE OBTAINMENT OF FUEL PRODUCTS, AND IN
APPARATUS
ALSO IN FURNACES AND OTHER
APPARATUS AND PROCESSES IN WHICH FUEL IS USED FOR REFINING METALS
AND OTHER SUBSTANCES.'
PROCESSES THEREFOR,
AND
33
In treating fuel, viz., coal, wood, peat, or other carbonaceous substances, by this
Invention the fuel to be treated is filled into upright chambers, which chambers
may have grates, twyers, or openings at or near their bottom, through which air is
supplied for combustion, which air may be hot or cold, or mixed with steam or
carbonaceous gases. The heat and gases produced from combustion of the coke or
charcoal at the bottom of the column of fuel ascend and expel the volatile gases or
vapours from the fuel, but instead of allowing the products of combustion to pass
up through the whole column of fuel in the usual manner they are withdrawn at a
lower level. The heat ascends the column of fuel and expels the volatile gases or
vapours therefrom, and that in the order of the temperature at which they are
expelled from fuel by heat, viz., the hydrogen and oxygen gases are expelled at the
lowest heat, and hydrocarbons and hydrogen gases in their order, as the temperature
is raised, so that by closing the top of the chamber containing the fuel with a cup
and cone or other suitable valve or apparatus for charging, and providing exit
passages with regulating valves at or near the top, the aqueous products of the
distillation of fuel may to a great extent be obtained separately from the
carbonaceous or oily products, and by providing exit passages with regulating
valves at a lower level the oily or tarry products may be obtained separately to a
large extent from the non-condensible gases which are expelled from the fuel at a
higher temperature, and which again may also be withdrawn to a great extent
separately by providing exit passages at a still lower level. Thus the products of
combustion or partial combustion of the solid part of the fuel may be withdrawn at a
lovel a few feet above the grates, or openings, or twyers used for burning the solid
part of the fuel, the permanent gases of the fuel at a still higher level, the
condensible oil and tar gases at a still higher level, and the aqueous and ammoniacal
gases at the top, by which means the several gaseous products of the fuel may be
obtained separately and utilized or applied to the purposes for which they are best
adapted. For instance, the gases produced by the combustion of the solid part of
the fuel may be burned with a further supply of air for heating reverberatory or
other similar furnaces, or for heating air or raising steam; the permanent combus-
tible gases may also be burned for the above purposes, or they may be led away
and purified for illuminating purposes.
The condensible gases may be obtained to a great extent separately from tho
beforementioned products as aforesaid, and may be condensed to procure the
products due to the particular kind of fuel employed. And thus coal, wood, peat,
shale, the refuse of towns, and other carbonaceous substances may be caused to
yield their liquid and gaseous matters as desired in an economical manner.
When coke or charcoal is to be produced from fuel air is supplied at a higher
level at about the part where permanent gases are evolved so as to burn part of
these permanent gases for producing heat to effect the carbonization of the fuel.
The products of combustion after passing downwards may be caused to ascend
through flues exterior to the said chamber, and by heating the same to assist in
expelling the gases from the fuel, or they may be forced downwards through the

page_text: fuel for its carbonization, and out through openings at or near the bottom of the
chamber, forming combustible gases, which may be led away for heating other
furnaces. The heat produced ascends and drives off the gaseous parts of the fuel,
the condensible parts of which may be withdrawn at a higher level for condensation
as aforesaid. The coke or charcoal may be withdrawn at the bottom for use from
time to time, or the bottom of the said chambers may be made deeper to admit of
grates or twyers or other openings through which air may be supplied to burn the
coke or charcoal, or part thereof, to form combustible gases, or to thoroughly
carbonize the coke or charcoal when being produced.
Figures 1 to 4 of the accompanying Drawings show apparatus for the before
mentioned purposes, Figure 1 being a vertical section; Figure 2, a transverse section
on the line 1, 2, Figure 1; Figure 3, a transverse section on the line 3, 4, Figure 1,
and Figuro 4 a plan. Fuel is filled into the chamber A at top, which is covered
by the cup and cone valve a, and the said fuel is ignited at the doors b, through
which air is admitted in small quantity to produce heat for starting, and also when
required during the process.
When coke or charcoal is to be produced the grate shown at B is dispensed with
and a solid bottom is provided. The gases produced from combustion ascend
through flues C surrounding the chamber A, the said gases being supplied with air
for their further combustion by ports at c, c, provided with valves for regulating
the quantity of air admitted. The heat thus produced distils the fuel in the
chamber A. The condensable gases, which are produced at a low heat, ascend into
the head of the chamber A, into the part or head thereof marked X, and are with-
drawn by the passage D, provided with a valve to regulate the opening therethrough,
and situated near to the top of the apparatus. The said gases so withdrawn may
be led away and condensed to obtain their liquid products. When the permanent
gases are required they are withdrawn from the chamber A by the passages E,
and may be led away and purified for lighting or heating, or for producing power,
or for other desired purpose. When the whole of the gascous part of the fuel is
withdrawn from the chamber.A it is necessary to burn a solid part thereof to supply
_ heat to carry on the distillation, and a grate may be used for this purpose as shewn
at B.
When it is required to obtain coke or charcoal in a rapid manner without
burning any of the solid fuel the bottom of the chamber A is made close and a
limited quantity of air is supplied by the passage E into the said chamber A at
about the lovel shewn to burn the permanent gas inside the chamber A to produce
beat for carbonizing the fuel without burning solid fuel for that purpose, the
products of the said burning of the permanent gases passing down amongst the
lower part of the charge of fuel for its carbonization, and thenco pass into the
flues C, where they are supplied with air as aforesaid for their further combustion,
the hot products passing up the said flues C and heating the chamher A, and
escaping by the passage f. The resulting coke or charcoal may be removed by
the door b, or it may be dropped into. arched or vaulted chambers (as shown in
dotted lines in Figure 1) similar to the bee hive oven, to be there slowly cooled and
consolidated, the said ovens being filled alternately and emptied through doors as
usual.
I wish it to be understood that by "fuel" I intend to include street refuse or
other combustible refuse of the nature of fuel, which way be treated in this furnace
for obtaining products therefrom.
The above means of carbonizing fuel and utilizing the gaseous products are
applicable to the upper part of blast furnaces wherein the fuel is carbonized by
burning part of the permanent gases as above provided for, and descends the lower
part of the charge in the main barrel of the furnace along with the iron or iron
producing materials, which are filled in along with the fuel by a suitable closing
apparatus as usual.
The products of the combustion descend and escape from the furnace, together
with the twyer gases, at a suitable height, and are led away for use, whilst the

page_text: condensible gases ascend and are withdrawn at or near the top, and may be leu
through condensers for obtaining the liquid products as above provided for.
Figures 5 to 9 illustrate the above improvements applied to a blast smelting
furnace, Figure 5 being a vertical sectional elevation; Figure 6, a transverse section
on the line 5, 6, Figure 5; Figure 7, a transverse section on the line 7, 8, Figure 5;
Figure 8, a transverse section on the line 9, 10, Figure 5; and Figure 9, a plan.
The fuel is filled into the chamber A by the closing valve a, the upper part X of the
said chamber A being provided with a passage D (provided with a regulating valve)
for the escape of condensible gases, and also with jets of air blast E, E, essentially as
before described with regard to Figures 1 to 4. The ores and flux, or part thereof,
are, or is, filled into the passages C in succession through valves a² at top. The gases
resulting from carbonizing the fuel descend and enter the external passages C
surrounding the chamber A, together with the gases produced at the twyers, and
thence with the said twyere gases pass upwards amongst the ores for their reduction.
When desired part of the gases are withdrawn from the passages C by ducts c³, and
are led into the passages containing the blast pipes E, and are injected into the fuel
chamber A and burned by the blast from the pipes E, E, thus adding heat and
returning part of the carbon, which would otherwise escape from the furnace, to
carbonize the fuel aud produce an extra amount of reducing gases by the known
chemical affinities of the substances employed. The remaining part of the furnace
gases are withdrawn by the passages ff, and utilized for raising steam for heating
blast or for heating other furnaces. The under part of the furnace is constructed as
usual, or of the form represented. The passages or chambers C are separated from
each other by walls, which are sloped at top, and each alternate wall (being such as
are under the valves a²) is covered at top by a strong saddle to protect them from
the ores and flux which are discharged into the chambers C by the said valves a².
Figure 10 represents in vertical section a blast smelting or melting furnace, with
which some of my improvements are combined; Figure 11 is a transverse section on
the line 11, 12, Figure 10; Figure 12 is a transverse section on the line 13, 14,
Figure 10; and Figure 13 is a plan. In this furnace there are no passages or
chambers C surrounding the chamber A, the ores and flux, or metals and fuel, being
all filled into the chamber A by the compound cone valve a. A passage D, similar
to that before described, is provided for withdrawing the condensible gases produced
at the upper part of X of the furnace, air blast jets E being also provided, as before
described, and part of the furnace gases may be injected by these jets E into the
chamber A for the same purpose as that for which they are injected in the arrange-
ment, Figures 5 to 9. G is an annular chamber surrounding the chamber A, and
communicating therewith by passages g, through which the gases ascending from
the twyers, and also the gases descending from the chamber A, pass into the said
chamber G, part of them being returned by the passages ginto the chamber A, as
before mentioned. When metals only are being melted it is not necessary to thus
return part of the furnace gases, in which case air only is impelled into the furnace
by the jets E. The furnace gases escaping from the annular chamber G by the
passages may be utilized, as hereinbefore mentioned with regard to Figures 5 to 9.
The condensible gases may be obtained from ordinary blast furnaces in the manner
above described by covering the top and providing an outlet for the lighter gases at
top, and for the general furnace gases at a lower level. This apparatus, Figures
10 to 13, may also be used for converting fuel either by blast, as shewn, or a grate
may be provided, as in Figure 1, for burning solid fuel upon.
The fuel chambers as above described, which I call fuel converters, may be worked
by blast or draught, and applied to heat furnaces or chambers, placed in conjunction
or separately, in which metals are heated or incited, or ores are smelted. Also metals
or slag from blast or other furnaces, or ingredients used for forming glass, or for
fluxing earths or metals may be filled along with the fuel into the converter, and,
being fused, may flow into the bottom of the converter and aforesaid side chambers,
and by their action assist in fluxing or melting or smelting the metals or ores
contained in the said side chambers, which metals, when fused, may be run out into

page_text: hearths, pots, ladles, or tanks, and may be covered and kept hot by gasos from the
converter (burned if necessary) for refining, adding ferro manganeso or other mixing
or fluxing or carburizing material as required.
The condensible gases of fuel may be condensed together or separately, and the
combustible gases from the volatile and solid part of the fuel may be used or burned 5
together or separately.
Figure 14 represents in vertical section on the line 15, 16, Figures 15 and 18, a
furnace for the above mentioned purposes; Figure 15 is a vertical section at right
angles to that Figure 14 and taken on the line 17, 18, Figure 14; Figuro 16 is a
transverse section on the line 19, 20, Figures 14 and 15; Figure 17 is a transverse 1
section on the line 21, 22, Figures 14 and 15; and Figure 18 is a plan of the
same.
The fuel is filled into the chamber A, which has a passage D, similar to that before
described, at top, by which condensible gases are withdrawn. The fuel is burned by
jets of air forced in at h, h, by twyers. The metals to be melted or the ores to be 1
smelted are filled into the side chambers C, C, by the doors o², c². When only
metals are to be melted, air is also supplied by twyers at i, i, to burn the gases
produced in the chamber A, which gases pass through openings I, I, and thence
upwards through amongst the metals contained in the chambers C for melting the
said metals, leaving the furnace by the chimneys c³, c³, whence they are led away 2
for further use as desired. When ores are to be reduced and smelted, the twyer
holes at i, i, are shut up, as no blast is then required thereat. The gases produced
by the blast from the twyers at h, h, pass upwards through amongst the ores
contained in the side chambers C, reducing and smelting the said oros. To assist in
the smelting of the ores or the refining of the metals suitable fluxes are charged 2
with them; slags or minerals for producing fusible slags and oxides of iron may bo
charged into the chamber A, so that the liquid slags or oxides may fill up the
crucible A², and thereafter the metal melted thereby will occupy this chainber,
from whence it may be tapped for use, or it may be run into ladles and treated
with ferro manganese or spiegeleisen in the usual manner to form cast steel. The 3
-slag formed flows off by the cinder notches j, j The combustiblo gases from the
chamber A, instead of rising into chambers C, may be passed into reverberatory
furnaces, and be burned there to produce heat for melting metals or smelting ores
placed therein; or metals, ores, and slags, as above provided for, may be smelted
or melted in the chamber A, and run out into reverberatory furnaces for
refinement.
When the fuel converter A is used for heating reverberatory furnaces, the side
chambers C are dispensed with, and the gases pass through the openings at I, I, into
the reverberatory furnaces. If desired, the twyer openings may be closed, and a
grate provided at the bottom of the crucible A² for converting the fuel by means of
the draught of the furnaces being heated. When draught is employed to work the
fuel convertors it is necessary to connect the passage D with the draught or chimney,
so as to withdraw the condensible gases from the convertor and through condensing
apparatus as required.
When coke or charcoal is used for heating, melting, or smelting metals with tho 4
convertor as above provided for, or in blast smelting furnaces, the means for
separating or utilizing the volatile gaseous parts of fuel is dispensed with, not
being required, but part of the escaping gases from blast furnaces, or gases froin
other furnaces, may be injected and burned in the upper part of smelting furnaces
to produce heat and reducing gases for reducing the ores and economising fuel;
those gases descend and escape from the furnace in the manner provided for in the
smelting furnace herein before described; the passage D may, however, be retained
to draw hydroscopic water or other gases or vapors who presence may be
undesirable.
By the use of the converter metals or their mixtures or other fusible substances,
such as those used for bronzes, iron, steel, or glass, may be melted in pots or
crucibles contained in a casing which may be lifted for pouring when of suitable

page_text: size, but when the crucibles are of large dimensions the metals are tapped or ladled
or lifted out as desired; also the crucibles or pots may be built of suitably moulded
and refractory materials.
Figures 19 to 24 illustrate a furnace for the above purposes, in which metals or
ores are contained and heated and melted or smelted in closed vessels out of contact
with burning fuel or flame; Figure 19 being a vertical section on the line 33, 34,
Figures 20 to 24; Figure 20, a vertical section on the line 35, 36, Figures 19 and 21;
Figure 21, a horizontal section on the line 37, 38, Figures 19 and 20; Figure 22, a
horizontal section on the line 39, 40, Figure 19; Figure 23, a horizontal section on
the line 41, 42, Figures 19 and 20; and Figure 24, a horizontal section on the
line 43, 44, Figures 19 and 20.
This furnace is heated with gas from any suitable source, but I prefer gas made
in the herein before described fuel converters. The gas enters the chamber A by
the flue A, and is let into the flues b which surround the melting crucible C by
ports i, and is burned by air heated by the waste heat in the restorer D (hereinafter
described), the air being conducted from the said restorer by the passage d into the
annular chamber e, which is provided with ports e¹ at top opening into the bottom
of each flue b. The gas being ignited, the heat produced melts the metals contained
in the crucible C. After heating the said crucible the hot gases ascend the flues f, f,
passing therethrough upwards and then over the chamber G and downwards into
the heat restorer D, wherein their heat is utilized in heating the air supplied to the
furnace as aforesaid, and thence to the chimney. The metals or ores to be melted
or smelted are filled into the chamber G by the door g, with the proper proportion of
carbon fluxes or mixtures of earths or metals necessary to produce the quality
of metal required. When the materials have been prepared and heated in the
chamber G, they are raked out at the bottom thereof into the crucible C by tools
introduced at the door g². When the metal is melted it may be treated with
manganese compounds and brought to temper the door g², giving admittance for
this purpose, and it may then be tapped and run out into ladles or moulds, and
have manganese or its compounds added whilst in the ladle if desired. The
cylindrical casing containing the crucible C, and supporting walls and lining is
made to be capable of removal for repairing or renowing or for pouring out the
contents of the crucible, the said cylindrical casing fitting slackly between the hood
containing the passages G and f, this slack joint being filled up with clay when the
furnace is in use. There is an opening in the top of the chamber G covered by a
damper g³, by which opening the gases formed in the said chamber may be passed
into the flues f. The crucible may be made in one piece, or when of large
dimensions it may be built up of a number of picces.
In refining iron the crude iron is filled into a convertor with fuol, and, when
required, fluxing agents for removing impurities. When fused, the partially refined
iron is run into a puddling hoarth, this hearth being heated by gases from the
converter, wherein it is finished and balled up in the usual manner, or the iron
when melted may be run into a raised hearth containing oxides of iron and fluxing
materials for removing impurities.
In refining crude iron according to another modification by this Invention, it is
fused in the apparatus hereinbefore described, or in apparatus heated by gases
proceeding therefrom and run into a raised hearth having a silicious or other
refractory lining, where it is operated on by blasts of hot or cold air introduced
into the molten iron by pipes or hollow bars so as to oxidize the silicon contained
in crude iron or most part thereof, the oxidized silicon, silica, or slag floating on the
top of the iron. The iron is tapped from below the slag and runs separately
therefrom into a lower hearth lined with oxides of iron, which may be mixed with
limo or other bases or fluxes calculated to operate on the carbon and other
extraneous substances contained in the metal to the extent necessary to produce
5 iron or steel as required. When iron is required it may be balled up when it
solidifies in this last hearth, and removed in the usual manner.
When cast, ingot iron, or steel is required, a hearth lined as above or with

page_text: The
refractory material is provided, into which the iron when desilicurised is run.
metal is not allowed to solidify, as in the case of wrought iron or steel, but the heat
is raised as the refining proceeds, so that the steel or ingot iron is kept fluid and is
refined and run out of the hearth, and has spiegleisen or ferro manganese added in
the usual manner, forming cast steel or ingot iron.
Figures 25 to 31 illustrato a double reverberatory furnace for refining crude iron,
for producing malleable iron or steel suitable for carrying this part of my Invention
into effect, Figure 25 being a vertical section on the line 23, 24, Figure 26;
Figure 26, a horizontal section on the line 25, 26, Figure 25, 28, and 29; Figure 27,
a horizontal section on the line 27, 28, Figures 25, 28, and 29; Figure 28, a
transverse section on the line 29, 30, Figures 25 to 27; Figure 29, a transverse
section on the line 31, 32, Figures 25, 26 and 27; Figure 30, a side view, and
Figure 31 a plan.
Fuel is filled into the convertor A by the closing valve a
A passage D with
means for regulating the degree of opening is provided for withdrawing condensible
gases, and a grato B is also provided on which the fuel is carried and ignited.
The ash pit is closed at front by doors and doors, are provided at 6 for cleaning the
grate. Air is supplied for partial combustion of the fuel at the register k, and is heated
by passing (as shewn by the arrows) under the hearths L, M, which may have pins
or projections cast on the bottom plates for increasing the surface for heating the
air. The gas produced in the chamber A flows through the space I into the
furnace and is burned with air supplied at i, i, which air is heated by passing
through passages over the roofs of the furnaces. The quantity of air is
regulated by the supply valve. When the gas is inflamed in the passage I it
heats the hearth M, and then passes over into the raised hearth L for heating their
contents. The crude iron to be refined is run into the raised hearth L, and blown
into by a blast or blasts of air after the Richardson or other well known process for
removing silicon from the crude iron, and when the silicon has been sufficiently
oxidized it floats as slag on the top of the metal, which metal is then tapped out
and conveyed by the gutter N into the hearth M, which is lined with oxides or
carbonates of iron and fluxes. for removing carbon and other impurites. When
wrought iron is to be produced the furnace heat is lowered till the iron drops, when
it may be balled and removed for shingling and hammering as usual, but if cast
steel or ingot iron is to be produced, then the heat is raised in the hearth M and
kept up until the refining is completed when the steel is tapped out into ladles,
and may have spiegleisen or ferro manganese added in the usual manner.
steel or ingot iron is being produced the bottom plates of the hearth M may be
lined with basic or other refractory bricks or materials. The heat escaping from
this furnace may be led away by the passage f for raising steam, or it may be
passed through a restorer, such as is hereinafter described, for heating air. The 4
method of beating air over the roof herein before described is suitable for furnaces
for producing wrought iron or for puddling furnaces, but when cast steel is produced
the air need not be heated by passing over the roof, but may be heated in a
restorer, as above mentioned, the heated air entering the furnace along with gas
at i, I. Although I have shewn two hearths as being heated by one gas producer, 4
yet cach hearth may have a gas producer and may be worked separately, one
hearth being placed at a higher level than the other for removing silicon from the
crude iron, and running the partially refined iron into a lower hearth for treatment
essentially as herein before described. The pig iron may be charged at once into
the raised hearth L when desired and melted there. Iron or steel scrap may be 5
heated in the lower hearth M previous to running in the metal from the raised
hearth L.
When
The ordinary means for heating air may be applied to the furnaces, but I prefer
to use refractory clay, tubes, or passages, through or over which the air to be heated
and the hot gases from which tho heat is to be extracted, are passed. It is 5
preferable that the hot gases should pass through the passages in a downwards
direction, and that the air to be heated should enter the bottom series of passages,

page_text: and rise upwards towards the top of the apparatus, but the air and gas currents
may be caused to assume any direction circumstances may render necessary.
These passages may be tubular or of any other suitable section, with flanges at
each end and also at intervals along the tubes when required. The flanges aro of
an oblong or other suitable shape so that when the tubes are placed alongside the
spaces between them form a series of passages external to the tubes, so that whilst
the hot gases pass down through the tubes or passages the air may be caused to
cross and recross the tubes or passages, resulting in an upward direction, or the
hot gases may pass downwards outside of the tubes or passages, and the air may
pass through one series of passages and return through another alternately in an
upward direction.
Such tubes or passages havo hitherto been placed horizontally, each passage
being supported at the ends only, but by the present Invention when the passages
are placed horizontally they are supported by brickwork from below throughout
their length. The brickwork for supporting the passages is formed of wedge
shaped bricks arranged so as to have the bearing properties of an arch, with
openings corresponding to those of the passages to permit the escape of the wasto gases.
Hitherto the apparatus for heating air has been placed below puddling and
heating furnaces, but by the present Invention it is placed above ground at the end,
or over, or above the furnace; also the passages have hitherto been placed
horizontally, but it is preferable in some cases to place the vertically, and in some
cases the passages may be joined by sockets or flanges, so that gravity will assist
in keeping the joints close together.
Figure 32 is a longitudinal vertical section on the line 1, 2, Figure 34; Figur. 33
is a horizontal section on the line 3, 4, Figures 32 and 34, and Figuro 34 is a
transverse vertical section on the line 5, 6, Figures 32 and 33, of the before__
mentioned heat restorer or means for heating air.
Combustible gases may be conducted into the restorer by the port A, and burned
in the space a, or the hot waste products of combustion from furnaces from which
the heat is to be transferred to air enters by the same port. The products of
combustion in either case pass downwards between the air passages or tubes b,
heating the same and the air which is passing through them. When the waste
gases reach the bottom of the restorer they pass away by the port or ports C to the
chimney, or if desired they may be used for raising or assisting in raising steam,
or for similar purpose. The air to be heated enters by the port D and passes
through three rows or tiers of passages or tubes b into the space D', from whence
it returns through the remaining passages or tubes b into the space D², above the
port D in a highly heated condition, and may be taken away for use by the passage
D³ or D, shewn in dotted lines. A greater height, length, breadth, or number of
tiers of passages b may be used, and the air may be caused to pass through one
series of passages and return through another series to any extent required. Also
in some cases the hot gases may enter by the ports C under the passages b, and
pass upwards there between and escape by the port A, and the air may enter the
series of tubes or passages at the top and be taken away at the bottom, the
currents of the gases and air passing in contrary directions. At 62, 6, is shewn
the bearing brickwork for supporting the air passages. The bricks b² are on end
and support the bricks 63, which have wedge shaped wings on them. The inter-
mediate bricks are formed with similar wings, which bear upon the wings of the
bricks b³ to support the said bricks b*, spaces being left between the wings for the
passage of the gases. The pipes or passages bare formed in short lengths with
flanges on their ends, in which grooves are formed, as shewn in Figures 32 and 33,
to receive clay or cement for making gas tight joints; bricks z¹ (which are removed
in Figure 33) seal up these joints more effectually.
Figure 35 is a vertical section on the line 7, 8, Figures 36 and 37; Figure 36 is
a horizontal section between the flanges of the tubes or passages on the line 9, 10,
Figure 35, and Figure 37 is a horizontal section on the line 11, 12, Figure 35, of
another form of heat restorer. In this restorer the heated gases pass in amongst

page_text: and around the air passages b by the port A. A space A² surrounds these air
passages to give a more free entrance and exit of gases, which passage is shewn by
dotted lines in Figure 36. The joints or flanges of the passages bare circular, and
when they are placed together, as shewn, there are spaces left between them through
which the gases descend to the lower space A³, and pass away by the exit port C;
the flanges of the pipes 6 between the top and bottom flanges are round to give
passage between them, but the top and bottom flanges bare square to close up the
spaces between the passages, and in addition perforated covers 6s are placed over
and under these square flanges, so that their joints may be scaled up to prevent the
mixing of hot gases with the fresh air. The meeting flanges of the lengths of pipe b
are scaled by clay or cement in grooves, essentially as explained with regard to the
restorer, Figures 32, 33, and 34. The air to be heated is passed in at the bottom
port D, and passing upwards through the passages is heated and withdrawn for
use at the port D³, the currents of hot gases and air taking reverse directions.
Instead of the currents of air and gases passing in the directions described, they
may either of thom pass upwards through, or downwards through, or between the
said passages b, provided that the currents of air and gas are kept separate, they
passing preferably in reverse directions. The jointings of the pipes b may be made
by sockets or faucets having square flanges sealed on top and bottom, as shewn;
Figure 38 shews in vertical section on the line 13, 14, Figure 39, a restorer, such
as has herein before been described, applied to a gas producer and double puddling
furnace; Figure 39 is a horizontal section of the samo on the line 15, 16, Figure 38,
and Figures 40 and 41 are vertical sections of the same respectively taken on the
line 17, 18, and the line 19, 20, Figure 38. In this example the restorer is set on
end beside the chimney and over the furnace. The gas producer shewn is similar
to that shewn in Figures 25 to 31. The spent flame leaves the furnace A and
enters the lower part of the chimney B, and passes by the openings c amongst the
tubes of the part D of the restorer, and passing to the opposite side it ascends
through the openings cl to the second part of the restorer D₁, and passing amongst
the tubes thereof re-enters the chimney at the upper part B' by the openings c², c²,
and escapes or is taken away for further use. The chimney B' is provided with a
damper as usual. The air to be heated enters the restorer at a by a regulating
valve a', and ascends the two rows of tubes to the space a²; it then descends three
rows of tubes to the space a³, from whence it is conveyed by passages a³ to the
chamber at, where it enters the furnace with the gas from the producer. The ash
pit and cleaning doors are closed, and the air for producing gas enters and proceeds
along below the furnace bottom through the passages into the producer, as
described with regard to Figures 25 to 31.
When it is desirable to obtain the whole heat from the fuel at once, it is burned
on a grate in an enclosed furnace, and the air for the combustion of the gases is
heated by a series of gills or plates placed in front of the fire and supplied over the
fuel.
Valves are employed for regulating the quantity of air passed through or over
the fire, so as to ensure complete combustion with the smallest quantity of air.
These valves may be worked by hand or by the opening of the fire door, and by a
weight regulated by clockwork or other means of opening and closing the valves as
required.
This method of burning fuel may be applied to reverberatory and other furnaces,
such as those for steam boilers.
Figures 42 to 45 illustrate this improved apparatus as applied to a boiler fluc,
Figure 42 being a front view, Figure 43 a transverse vertical section on the
line 3, 3, Figure 44; Figure 44, a vertical section at right angles to Figure 43 on
the line 1, 1, Figures 42 and 45; and Figure 45, a horizontal section on the line 2, 2,
Figures 42, 43, and 44. The said apparatus is applied to the front of the flue, and
consists as follows:-The opening in front above the dead plate or fluc is closed by
a metal plate A exposed to the heat of the furnace and having on its outward side a
number of gills or projecting webs a. In front of this plate A and its gills is a

page_text: metal plate B. The air for consuming the gases above the fuel in the furnace
passes up by the opening at C between these plates A and B, and is heated by the
heat of the plate A and its gills a. The said plate A has at its upper part
openings a² for admitting the air so honted to above the fuel in the furnace. The
said passage C is closed or opened by a valve or shutter D, which also opens and
shuts the opening at O for admitting air to beneath the grate. A door E is
provided for giving access beneath the bars for cleaning purposes. The parts of the
plates A and B marked A¹ and B' form the furnace door, as shewn. On opening
this furnace door a bar F is moved horizontally by the stud f", situated a short
distance inwards from the hinge of the door. This bar F carries a stud f, which,
when the said bar F is so moved, acts upon the arm g³ of the weighted lever g so
as to raise the weighted ond of the said lever and lowers the other end, which,
being connected by a rod, as shewn, with the valve D, causes the said valve to
descend so as to open the passage at C for air to pass to above the grate, and to
close the passage at O' for air beneath the grato, so that after the furnace door has
been opened and fresh fuel supplied to the furnace the combustion of the solid fuel
on the grate is partially suspended, whilst air is freely admitted at C, and being
heated by contact with the plate A and gills a, passes by the openings a³ into the
furnace above the fuel and effectually consume the gases therefrom, whilst they
aro not mixed with carbonic acid from the combustion of the solid fuel.
regulating apparatus, which may be an ordinary cataract, or be actuated -
clockwork or by other suitable means, is employed to retard the descent.
weighted lover g for the required length of time. By this arrangement th
at O to beneath the grate is always closed and the passage uncovered by the
valve D on opening the furnace door, the said valve beginning to rise after the door
is closed so as to gradually uncover the opening O' and finally close the passage C
when it has remained open a sufficient time to consume the volatile gases of the
fuel.
A
Jing
In the accompanying Drawings I have marked with the letter X those parts of
the furnaces or fuel converters or gas producers which correspond with the upper
part of the the chamber A constituting the head or chamber X, Figure 1.
Having now described and particularly ascertained the nature of my said
Invention, and the system; modo, or manner in or under which the same is or ay
be used or practically carried into effect, I would observe in conclusion, that what
I consider to be novel and original, and therefore claim as the Invention secured to
me by the hereinbefore in part recited Letters Patent, is,―
First. The improvements in heating fuel, or substances of a like nature,
herein before mentioned, consisting in operating upon it or them in a chamber or
vessel provided with means for driving off and obtaining separately the aqueous
vapours and such other gases or vapours as are first driven off and ascend to the
upper part of the chamber. Also for obtaining those other gases which are distilled
or driven off at a higher temperature, and also for obtaining the products of
distillation of the solid parts of the fuel (coke or charcoal) or similar substances
for utilization, all essentially as hereinbefore described with reference to the
5 accompanying Drawings.
Second. Providing furnaces, retorts, or gas producers, or similar apparatus in
which fuel is consumed or distilled, with a head or chamber (X) situated at the
upper part of the said furnace, retort, producer, or similar apparatus, for the
purpose of withdrawing the aqueous vapours or other gases which are produced
from fuel or substances of a like nature, or from the materials used in producing
inetals, and which ascend to the upper part of the said furnace, retort, producer,
or similar apparatus, as herein before described with reference to the accompanying
Drawings.
Third. The utilization of the combustible gases produced separately by the
5 distillation of fuel when treated as aforesaid, by leading them out from the
chamber in which they are obtained and burning them (with a further supply of

page_text: air) to assist in heating or to heat reverberatory furnaces or other furnaces, or for
other similar purposes, essentially as herein before described.
Fourth. The treatment of fuel for obtaining coke or charcoal therefrom by
introducing air into the chamber in which the said fuel is being treated at a lower
level than that at which the aqueous vapour or other gases driven off at a
comparatively low temperature are produced, the products of combustion being
forced downwards and escaping at a still lower level, essentially as and for the
purpose hereinbefore described with reference inore especially to Figures 1 to 4.
Fifth. The improvements in or additions to blast furnaces consisting in burning
part of the permanent gases produced in such furnaces by admitting air into the
charge at about the level where the said gases are evolved, and then passing the
said products of this combustion downwards through the charge, whence they are
led away for utilization as desired.
Sixth. Injecting combustible gases, together with air or highly heated products
of combustion, into and amongst the fuel or charge in smelting or other furnaces,
and passing them downwards through the fuel and upwards, together with twyer
gases, through the metal producing material, essentially as and for the purpose
hereinbefore described with reference to Figures 5 to 9 of the Drawings.
Seventh. Effecting the melting of metals or the smelting of ores in chambers
contiguous to and in communication with a converter or chamber in which fuel is
burned, and into which are charged slags or glass producing material or other
fluxes, as hereinbefore described, with reference to Figures 14 to 18, the said
chambers being provided with means for withdrawing aqueous vapours and
incombustible gases.
Eighth. Treating metals or their mixtures, or other fusible substances or ores,
when in a comparatively pure state, by melting or smelting them in a furnace or
chamber wherein they are kept separate from and out of contact with the fuel and
flame, essentially as described with reference to Figures 19 to 24 of the accompanying
Drawings.
Ninth. Refining crude iron by treating it to remove the silicon by blasts of hot
or cold air upon a raised hearth, and then running it on to a lower hearth lined
with oxides of iron mixed with lime or other bases or fluxes, essentially as
herein before described with reference to Figures 25 to 31 of the accompanying
Drawinge.
Tenth. The apparatus constructed and arranged essentially as and for the purpose
herein before described and illustrated in Figuros 1 to 4 of the accompanying
Drawings.
Eleveuth. The improvements in or additions to blast smelting furnaces,
hereinbefore described and illustrated in Figures 5 to 9 of the accompanying
Drawings.
Twelfth. The improvements in or additions to blast smelting or inclting furnaces,
hereinbefore described and illustrated in Figures 10 to 13 of the accompanying
Drawings.
Thirteenth. The furnace constructed or arranged essentially as hereinbefore
described and illustrated in Figures 14 to 18 of the accompanying Drawings.
Fourteenth. The arrangement or combination of parts constituting the furnace,
herein before described and illustrated in Figures 19 to 24 of the accompanying
Drawings.
Fifteenth. The arrangement or combination of parts constituting tho double
reverberatory furnace, hereinbefore described and illustrated in Figures 25 to 31 of
the accompanying Drawings.
Sixteenth. The improvements in heat restorers, consisting in supporting the
tubes thereof upon bricks formed and arranged essentially as described with
regard to the bricks b², b³, b, Figures 32, 33, and 34 of the accompanying
Drawings.
Seventeenth. The arrangement and construction of parts constituting the heat
4
5

page_text: restorers, herein before described and illustrated in Figures 32, 33, and 34, and
Figures 35, 36, and 37 of the accompanying Drawings.
Eighteenth. The combination with puddling and other reverberatory furnaces of
a heat restorer placed over or above the ground level, essentially as hereinbefore
described with reference to Figures 38 to 41 of the accompanying Drawings.
Nineteenth. The general arrangement or combination of parts constituting the
apparatus for automatically stopping the passage of air beneath the furnace grate
when the furnace door is opened, and thereafter when the door is closed, admitting
air to and heating the same on its passage to the furnace above the fuel; and after
a sufficient time has elapsed, automatically stopping the supply of air to above the
fuel, and allowing free ingress of air to beneath the air, essentially as hereinbefore
described and illustrated in Figures 42 to 45 of the accompanying Drawings.
In witness whereof, I, the said William Gorman, have hereunto set my hand
and seal, this Thirteenth day of January, in the year of our Lord One
thousand eight hundred and eighty one.