CERTAIN IMPROVE MENTS IN THE PROCESS OF REFINING IRON AND MAKING STEEL, AND IN THE APPARATUS USED IN CARRYING OUT SAID PROCESS
Year: 1869

page_text: ETTERS PATENT to Henri Adrien Bonneville, of the British and
Foreign Patent Offices, 10, Sackvile Street, Piccadilly, in the County
of Middlesex, and 18, Chaussée d Antin, Paris, in the Empire
of France, Patent Agent, for the Invention of "CERTAIN IMPROVE
MENTS IN THE PROCESS OF REFINING IRON AND MAKING STEEL, AND IN THE
APPARATUS USED IN CARRYING OUT SAID PROCESS"--A communication
hom Cyrille Jean Caumon (also known as John Absterdam, of the
City of Toulouse, France, Scientific and Mechanical Engineer, at
present residing at New York, in the County and State of New
York, United States of America.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Henri Adrien Bonneville
at the Office of the Commissioner of Patents, with his Petition,
on the 4th January 1869.
1, HENRI ADRIEN BONNEVILLE, of the British and Foreign Patent
Offices, 10, Sackville Street, Piccadilly, in the County of Middlesex, and
IS, Chaussée d'Antin Paris, in the Empe of France, Patent Agent,
Prue S

page_text: do hereby declare the nature of the said Invention for "CESTAIN IN.
PROVEMENTS IN THE PROCESS OF REFINING IRON AND MAKING STEEL, AND IN THE
APPARATUS USED IN CARRYING OUT BAID PROCESS," a communication from
Cyrille Jean Caumon (also known as John Absterdam), of the City of
Toulouse, France, Scientific and Mechanical Engineer, at present a
person resident at New York, in the County and State of New York,
United States of America, to be as follows:-
This Invention relates to certain improvements on a process for
refining iron and making steel.
The present improvements consist,―
Firstly. In introducing fuel or fluxes, either in a gaseous, liquid, or
solid form into the molten metal in a converter by suction (in contra-
distinction to the process heretofore known where fuel has been intro-
duced into the molten metal by force) in such a manner that the
quantity of fuel, as well as the quantity of air introduced into the
molten metal can be regulated and the requisite amount of heat for
refining the iron or for converting it into steel can be produced.
Secondly. In subjecting the fused metal in the converter to a forced
current of air in combination with the current produced by suction or
by a vacuum apparatus in such a manner that the advantages of the
vacuum process are combined with the forced air process, and that the
action of the air on the fused metal can be regulated with greater
facility and nicety than it can if either the vacuum process or the forced
air process is used independent of the other.
Thudly. In the arrangement of a vacuum apparatus composed of a
nozzle which extends across the mouth of a pipe that connects with the
converter and terminates opposite to a conical spout, either the nozzle or
the spout, or both, being made adjustable, in combination with said
converter in such a manner that by passing a current of steam through
said nozzle a partial vacuum is produced in the converter, and by
adjusting the position of the nozzle and of the spout in relation to each
other the effect of the exhauster or vacuum apparatus can be regulated
according to the heat to which the nozzle is exposed and according to
the degree of vacuum desired, which is determined by a vacuum gauge
attached to said exhauster.
Fourthly. In the arrangement of a spark arrester attached to the
mouth of the converter and between the same and the vacuum apparatus

page_text: in such a manner that the sparks or solid particles carried out of the
converter by the current of air are retained, and the clogging up of the
exhauster or vacuum apparatus is thereby prevented.
Fifthly. In the arrangement of a hollow tubular pivot in combination
with the spark arrester and the steam supply pipe of the vacuum
apparatus in such a manner that said spark arrester and exhauster
can be swung back or raised from the mouth of the converter without
breaking the connection of the steam supply pipe.
Sixthly. In the arrangement of a rising and falling perforated chamber
in combination with the converter and with a pipe supplying hydro-
carbon gas or air under pressure, or both, in such a manner that by
pressing said chamber up against the bottom of the converter either
air or gas, or both, can be injected into the converter with great ease
and convenience.
Seventhly. In the arrangement of moveable plugs in combination
with the rising and falling chamber and with the holes in the bottom
of the converter in such a manner that by raising said chamber the holes
in the converter can be plugged up simultaneously, and the operation
of the apparatus is thereby materially facilitated.
Eighthly. In the arrangement of a pipe connecting with an air forcing
apparatus in combination with the rising and falling chamber, the con-
verter, and the vacuum apparatus in such a manner that the molten
metal in the converter can be subjected with convenience to the com-
bined action of a forced current of air and to that of a current of air
produced by suction, and the supply of air can thereby be regulated
with greater accuracy than it can if either a forced current or a current
produced by suction is employed alone.
SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent,
filed by the said Henri Adrien Bonneville in the Great Seal Patent
Office on the 30th June 1869.
TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, 1, HENRY
ADRIEN BONNEVILLE, of the British and Foreign Patent Offices, 10,
Sackville Street, Piccadilly, in the County of Middlesex, and 18,
Chaussée d'Antin, Paris, in the Empire of France, Patent Agent, send
greeting.

page_text: WHEREAS Her most Excellent Majesty Queen Victoria, by Her
Letters Patent, bearing date the Fourth day of January, in the
year of our Lord One thousand eight hundred and sixty-nine, in the
thirty-second year of Her reign, did, for Herself, Her heirs and succes-
Fors, give and grant unto me, the said Henri Adrien Bonneville,
Her special licence that I, the said Henri Adrien Bonneville, my ex-
ecutors, administrators, and assigns, or such others as I, the said Henri
Adrien Bonneville, my executors, administrators, and assigns, should
at any time agree with, and no others, from time to time and at all
times thereafter during the term therein expressed, should and lawfully
night make, use, exercise, and vend, within the United Kingdom of
Great Britain and Ireland, the Channel Islands, and the Isle of Man, an
Invention for "CERTAIN IMPROVEMENTS IN THE PROCESS OF REFINING IRON
AND MAKING STEEL, AND IN THE APPARATUS USED IN CARRYING OUT SAID PROCESS."
a communication from Cyrille Jean Caumon, also known as John
Absterdam, of the City of Toulouse, France, Scientific and Mechanical
Engineer, at present a person resident at New York, in the County and
State of New York, United States of America, upon the condition,
amongst others, that I, the said Henri Adrien Bonneville, my executors
or administrators, by an instrument in writing under my, or their, or
one of their hands and seals, should particularly descube 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 1, the said Henri Adrien Bonneville, 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 :-
This Invention relates to certam improvements on a process for
refining iron and making steel in vacuo, patented in Great Britain
February 23rd, 1866, said improvements being the subject matter of
several Letters Patent granted in the United States, November 24th, 1868,
and numbered 84,333, 81,334, 84,335, & 84,336.
The nature of these improvements consists,-
Firstly. In introducing fuel or fluxes either in a gaseous, liquid, or
solid form into the molten metal in a converter by suction (in contra-
distinction to the process heretofore known where fuel has been

page_text: introduced by force) in such a manner that the quantity of fuel as well
as the quantity of air introduced into the molten metal can be regulated
and the requisite amount of heat for refining the iron or for converting
it into steel can be produced.
Secondly. In subjecting the fused metal in the converter to a forced
current of air in combination with the current produced by suction or
by a vacuum apparatus in such a manner that the advantages of the
vacuum process are combined with those of the forced air process, and
that the action of the air on the fused metal can be regulated with
greater facility and nicety than it can if either the vacuum process or
the forced air process is used independent of the other.
Thirdly. In the arrangement of a vacuum apparatus composed of a
nozzle which extends across the mouth of a pipe that connects with the
converter and terminates opposite to a conical spout, either the nozzle or
the spout, or both, being made adjustable, in combination with said con-
verter, in such a manner that by passing a current of steam through
said nozzle a partial vacuum is produced in the converter, and by
adjusting the position of the nozzle and of the spout in relation to each
other the effect of the exhauster or vacuum apparatus can be regulated
according to the heat to which the nozzle is exposed and according to
the degree of vacuum desired, which is determined by a vacuum gauge
attached to said exhauster.
Fourthly. In the arrangement of a spark arrester attached to the
mouth of the converter and between the same and the vacuum apparatus
in such a manner that the sparks and solid particles carried out of the
converter by the current of air are retained, and the clogging up of the
exhauster or vacuum apparatus is thereby prevented.
Fifthly. In the arrangement of a hollow tubular pivot in combination
with the spark arrester and the steam supply pipe of the vacuum appa-
ratus in such a manner that said spark arrester and exhauster can
be swung back or raised from the mouth of the converter without
breaking the connection of the steam supply pipe.
Sixthly. In the arrangement of a rising and falling perforated
chamber in combination with the converter and with a pipe supplying
hydrocarbon gas or air under pressure, or both, in such a manner that by
pressing said chamber up against the bottom of the converter either air
or gas, or both, can be injected into the converter with great ease and
convenience.

page_text: Seventhly. In the arrangement of moveable plugs in combination
with the rising and falling chamber and with the holes in the bottom of
the converter in such a manner that by raising said chamber the holes
in the converter can be plugged simultaneously, and the operation of the
apparatus is thereby materially facilitated.
Eighthly In the arrangement of a pipe connecting with an air-forcing
apparatus in combination with the rising and falling chamber, the
converter, and the vacuum apparatus in such a manner that the molten
metal in the converter can be subjected with convenience to the com-
bined action of a forced current of air and to that of a current of air
produced by suction, and the supply of air can thereby he regulated with
greater accuracy that it can if either a forced current or a current
produced by suction is employed alone.
In the accompanying Drawing Fig. 1 represents a vertical central
section; Fig. 2 is a transverse section taken in the plane indicated by
the line x, x, Fig. 1; Figs. 3 & 4 are details which will be referred to
as the description progresses.
Similar letters indicate corresponding
parts.
A represents a converter which is hung on trunions similar to cupolas
used in olden times in foundries. On the mouth of this converter is
placed the spark arrester B, which is composed of a metallic jacket
lined with fire-brick or other refractory material, and which is suspended
on a pivot b, so that it can be readily swung from the mouth of the
converter or let down thereon as may be desired. Instead of construct-
ing the spark arrester as shown in Fig. 1, it may be made in the form
indicated in Fig. 5, where the mouth of the converter is inclined, and fits
against the correspondingly inclined mouth of the spark arrester. In
this case the spark arrester can remain stationary, and it does not
interfere with the desired motion of the converter on its trunions.
the interior of the spark arrester are secured a concave retainer a' and
one or more screens b' which serve to airest the solid impurities which
are carried out of the mouth of the converter, so that said impurities are
prevented from clogging up the suction apparatus or exhauster C. This
exhauster connects with the spark arrester by the suction pipe C which
extends from the globed-shaped chamber D. In one side of this chamber
is secured the spout E, while through its opposite side enters the nozzle F.
The spout E is conical, its largest end being turned outward, and the
axis of the spout coincides with the prolongation of the axis of the
In

page_text: nozzle, so that a jet of steam injected through said nozzle will strike
the centre of the spout. The nozzle F is a cylindrical tube which passes
through a stuffing box d in the side of the chamber D, and which is
secured to a tubular plunger G. This plunger is open at one end, and
it is fitted into the cylinder II, which is supported by a yoke I attached
to the outside of the chamber D. The outer end of this cylinder is closed
by a stuffing box e through which passes the screw spindle J, the inner
end of which is attached to a bridge on the open end of the plunger G,
while its threaded part is tapped into the screw cap or gland of the
stuffing box e, and on its outer end is mounted a hand wheel g. This
connection between the screw spindle and the bridge of the plunger is
such that the spindle is free to turn in the bridge, but it is not permitted
to move therein in the direction of its axis, and consequently by turning
the screw spindle in the gland of the stuffing box e by the plunger G, and
with it the nozzle F, are drawn in or out according to the direction m
which the hand wheel g is turned. In the side of the cylinder His
secured the steam pipe K which connects with a suitable steam generator,
and which can be opened or closed by a stop-cock.
To the suction
When the suction apparatus is
pipe is secured a vacuum gauge L.
to be put in operation, and after the converter A has been charged with
metal and connected with the flange of the spark arrester, the steam
pipe K is opened, and the steam rushing in through the nozzle F catrios
with it a portion of the air contained in the converter, so that a partial
vacuum is produced therein. As the operation progresses the nozzle F
becomes heated, and the steam in passing through it is superheated, so
that its pressure and consequently its air exhausting effect are changed.
This effect can be observed by the vacuum gauge, and in order to obtain
the best possible effect it is necessary to move the nozzle F in or out
until the desired vacuum is attained. Instead of making the nozzle
adjustable, the effect of the apparatus being dependent upon the distance
of the inner end of the nozzle F and the narrowest portion of the
>pout
as indicated by the lines 1, 1, 2, 2, in the Drawing, as these lines
approach or are moved apart the exhausting effect of the jet of steam
changes. If the spout is made adjustable the nozzle F remains stationary
and all the mechanism shown for moving the same can be dispensed
with, but a hand wheel or other device must be connected with the
spout, The position of the nozzle is adjusted by turning the hand
wheel g; and in order to prevent the cylinder Il and plunger G from
getting overheated I have secured them in the yoke 1, which allows a

page_text: ་
11.
free circulation of air round the cylinder. During the process of refining
or converting iron a large quantity of cinders and other solid impurities
are disengaged from the molten metal and carried off by the current of
To prevent these impurities from lodging in the exhauster and
interfering with its operation 1 apply the spark arrester B, as previously
described. The steam pipe K of the exhauster connects with the
bearing of the pivot on which the spark arrester is hung, and
said pivot is made hollow or tubular, being closed at one end, and
connected at its opposite open end to a steam generator of any suitable
construction. That portion of said tubular pivot which is situated
in the interior of the bearing i is perforated with a hole j, which registers
with the mouth of the pipe K when the spark arrester is turned down
upon the mouth of the converter, but when the spark arrester is raised
o turned off from the mouth of the converter the hole j in the tubular
bearing i is closed, and the communication between the steam generator
ard the exhauster is shut off. The bottom of the converter A is flat, and
under it is placed a chamber D₁ which is provided with a tubular|
shank, and the top of which is perforated with a series of holes |
corresponding in number and position to the holes 9 in the bottom of
the converter.
of the chamber D' is fitted into a socket m,
which communicates with a pipe n, and the joint between said shank
and socket is rendered tight by a stuffing box 0. A lever p, which
embraces the shank k of the chamber D₁ serves to impart to said
chamber a rising and falling motion, so that the upper surface thereof
can be pressed up tight against the bottom of the converter or adjusted
at any desired distance therefrom The pipe communicates by means
of a pipe q with a vessel contaming hydrocarbon gas or liquid, and by
means of a branch pipe with an air-forcing apparatus. The hydrocarbon
Has or liquid is used to supply an additional amount of fuel to the
molten metal in the converter; and this fuel may be introduced into
the converter either by the suction of the exhauster C or by means of a
forced current of air admitted through the branch pipe r, or by the
suction and the forced current combined. If the fuel is to be introduced
merely by suction I supply the chamber D¹ with a series of nipples s, as
shown in Fig. 1 of the Drawing. The hydrocarbon gas admitted
through the pipe q' on issuing from the nipples mingles with the air,
and is carried into the converter together with such air by the suction
of the exhaustei. If hydrocarbon liquid is used I make the nipples in
the form of small wick tubes, as shown in Fig. 4, and by introducing
The shank

page_text: into these tubes suitable wicks, the hydrocarbon liquid as it rises in the
chamber D' can be ignited, and the gases resulting from this com-
bustion are carried into the converter together with the air by the
suction of the exhauster. The tips of the nipples s are conical, and
they fit into the countersunk ends of the holes g in the bottom of the
converter, so that by raising the chamber D' the tips of the nipples can
be pressed into the openings q'. For the purpose of plugging up the
holes g 1 use moveable plugs t (see Fig. 3) which are made in the form
of caps to fit over the nipples s. After these plugs have been adjusted
on the nipples the chamber D' is raised and all the holes q in the bottom
of the converter are plugged up simultaneously. In order to perform
this operation without fail it is necessary to coat the plugs with loam or
other suitable material capable of forming a luting in the holes q. In
some cases it is desirable to introduce fuel in a powdered or solid state,
and to effect this purpose I have made holes q* in the sides of the
converter; with these holes I connect hoppers through which the
powdered fuel is introduced, and the suction of the exhauster carries
the fuel into and through the molten metal. If a forced current of air
is to be used in combination with the suction or independent thereof, I
remove the nipples s and place a suitable packing piece on the top of
the chamber D'. By pressing the chamber up against the bottom of the
converter a forced current of air can be injected through the holes g
with ease and convenience. By means of this apparatus I am enabled
to subject the iron in the converter to a current produced by suction,
either alone or in combination with a forced current; also to introduce
fuel into the molten metal either by suction or by a forced current; also
to plug up holes in the bottom of the converter simultaneously
simply by raising the chamber D' and finally to regulate the supply of
air and of fuel with the greatest accuracy, so that the process of refining
iron or making steel can be effected without trouble or uncertainty.
The operation of my Invention is as follows:-In order to refine pig
iron or convert the same into steel I first kindle a fire in the converter A
so as to heat its interior fire lining to a red or white heat as the case
may require; in the meantime I melt the pig iron in a cupola or
reverberatory furnace if desired in the usual manner for melting iron in
iron foundries. After the iron is melted and the interior of the converter
is sufficiently heated I incline said converter with its mouth downward
so as to discharge the fuel contained therein. then I return the converter

page_text: to its natural position, the holes q, q*, in the bottom and sides of the
converter being plugged up with the plugs coated with clay.
I then
draw out the melted pig iron from the melting furnace and introduce it
into the converter A by means of a ladle or placing the melting furnace
at such an elevation above the mouth of the converter that by simply
tapping the melting furnace in the usual manner as now practised in iron
foundries for casting car wheels the molten iron will run into the mouth
of the converter. After having introduced the molten iron into the con-
verter 1 let down the mouth of the spark arrester upon the mouth of the
converter A, so as to make an air-tight joint, which joint 1 pack with
tempered clay or other suitable luting. Having thus made the con-
nection between the spark arrester B and the converter A, I immediately
open the stop cock a on the pipe K, and set the exhauster C in operation,
thereby creating and maintaining a vacuum or at least a partial vacuum
in the converter. Now just as soon as the vacuum gauge indicates a
sufficient amount of vacuum 1 open the holes q, q*, in the bottom and
sides of the converter, and the air rushes up through the molten metal in
said converter. I then immediately open the cock on the pipe q' and
allow the hydrocarbon gas to flow through the chamber D' out of the
holes under the bottom of the converter, and the air and gas are both
drawn into the converter through the molten metal, the air furnishing
oxygen and the carburetted gas furnishing fuel for heating and con-
tinuing to heat the molten iron therem during its refinement or its
conversion into steel. I commence by allowing a larger supply of fuel
to enter with the air when the converter is first set in operation, but
towards the end of the refining or converting process of the molten
metal I diminish the supply of gas in such a manner that it will continue
to heat the metal to be refined or converted in the converter, and at the
same time it allows the carbon of the metal to be converted to burn away
together with the introduced fuel until the requisite amount of carbon is
contained in the molten metal under conversion. But if it should be
desired to pass the steams of air through a higher column of molten
metal in the converter than the vacuum therein would permit, then I
introduce just so much of a column of molten metal into the converter A
as the vacuum therein will sustain therein without danger of the molten
metal running out of the holes 7, q*, in the bottom of the converter
when the same are opened. Having thus introduced the required amount
of molten metal and set the converter into operation as before described
'mmediately raise up the chamber D' against the bottom of the con-

page_text: verter and cause a current of air from a blast engine or other suitable
apparatus to pass through the chamber D' up the holes g, and through
the molten metal in the converter. In this case I introduce the car-
buretted hydrogen gas together with the air, and the amount of fuel
admitted with the air is regulated as in the previous operation. Now in
order to test the molten metal in the converter while the same is refining
or converting I introduce an iron iod through the holes q* in the side
of the converter and draw it out coated with the molten metal contained
therein and try its quality by hammering, nipping, or otherwise as the
operator may find most convenient, and I repeat the operation every few
seconds until I find that the molten metal in the converter has arrived
at its proper purification or conversion into steel. Just as soon as the
molten metal is properly refined or converted I immediately stop the
holes in the bottom of the converter and continue for a little while the
suction or vacuum in the converter so as to draw off the impurities that
may remain in the molten mass, also to draw out of the molten metal the
remaining particles of gas or air that might have been retained in said
metal, and thereby I obtain a more compact or solid casting, freer from
blow holes than if the said particles of gas or air had remained in the
same. When the process of refining or converting has thus been finished
I lift up the spark arrester and incline the converter and turn the mouth
downward so as to cause the metal to run out, and I cast the ingots
either directly from the mouth of the converter or by means of a ladle, as
is generally practised in foundries. If the process is to be continued
the converter is immediately discharged and the operation is repeated as
above stated.
Having thus described the nature of the said improvements, I would
have it understood I do not confine myself to the precise details I have
given as these may obviously admit of slight modifications; but what I
claim is,―
First. The introducing of fuel or fluxes in a solid, liquid, or gaseous
form by suction, substantially as described.
Second. The process of treating the molten metal in a converter by a
current of air produced by suction in combination with a current of air
produced by force, substantially as set forth.
Third. The arrangement of a vacuum apparatus composed of a nozzle
which extends across the suction pipe connecting with a converter, and
which terminates opposite to a conical spout, either the nozzle or the

page_text: spout, or both, being made adjustable in combination with a converter,
substantially as described.
Fouth. The arrangement of a spark arrester in combination with the
converter and vacuum apparatus, substantially as set forth.
Fifth. The arrangement of a hollow tubular pivot in combination with
the converter, the spark arrester, the vacuum apparatus, and the pipe
supplying steam to said vacuum apparatus, substantially as described.
Sixth. The arrangement of a rising and falling chamber in combination
with the converter, substantially as described.
Seventh. The arrangement of moveable plugs in combination with the
ising and falling chamber and with the converter, substantially as
described.
Eighth. The arrangement of a pipe connecting with an air-forcing
apparatus in combination with the rising and falling chamber, the
converter, and the vacuum apparatus, substantially as set forth.
In witness whereof, I, the said Henri Adrien Bonneville, have
hereto set my hand and seal, thus Nineteenth day of June, in
the year of our Lord One thousand eight hundred and sixty-
nine.
H. BONNEVILLE. (L.S.)