IMPROVEMENTS IN OBTAINING OIL AND GAS FROM MINERALS AND IN APPARATUS THEREFOR
Year: 1883

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Norman McFarlane Henderson, of the Broxburn Oil
Works, in the County of Linlithgow, North Britain for an Invention of
IMPROVEMENTS IN OBTAINING OIL AND GAS FROM MINERALS AND IN APPARATUS
THEREFOR
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Norman McFarlane
Henderson at the Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 27th
December 1883.
NORMAN MCFARLANE HENDERSON, of the Broxburn Oil Works in the County
of Linlithgow, North Britain, "IMPROVEMENTS IN OBTAINING OIL AND GAS FROM
MINERALS AND IN APPARATUS THEREFOR"
This Invention has for its object to still further improve and develop the
system and apparatus described in the Specification of Letters Patent granted
to the present applicant and dated 10 April 1873 (N° 1327) and comprises
arrangements which can be adapted for obtaining either oil or combustible gas as
the larger product according to the mineral employed or the object in view in
each case, and which facilitate the obtainment of ammonia and other valuable
by-products.
In carrying out the Invention according to one modification vertical retorts are
constructed in rows two rows forming a bench. The structure consists of strong
external or side walls the retort chambers or spaces being formed by comparatively
thin transverse vertical walls of suitable brickwork and spaces are also formed
between the retorts for the passage of hot gases to heat the retorts. The retorts
are made with inclined bottoms descending towards the opposite sides of the bench,
and immediately beneath the bottoms there are arched spaces which are to be used
as combustion chambers, the retorts being heated by means of combustible gas led
into these combustion chambers and therein ignited-the air required being
supplied and regulated in any convenient way, whilst the ignited gases pass up
through the spaces between and at the sides of the retorts. Below the com-
bustion chambers or in any other suitable situation regenerative chambers are
constructed and have in them the usual open brick checker-work. Flues or
passages and valves are provided in connection with the regenerative chambers
as usual with such apparatus so that the hot gases after acting on the retorts
may pass through one chamber or set of chambers on their way to the chimney
whilst the combustible gas and air pass through another chamber or set of
chambers and take up the heat previously deposited therein, the routes respectively.
of the used gases and of the fresh gas and air being interchanged at suitable
intervals as is well understood. Valves or dampers are provided for regulating the

page_text: heat applied to the retorts at the opposite sides of the bench and for the purpose of
carrying out the systems or modes of operation hereinafter described.
When shale or other oil-yielding mineral is being operated on and the principal
object is to obtain oil, the mineral is dealt with in the following manner in each
pair of retorts. Fresh shale is filled into the retort at one side, and at first and
for a suitable length of time is subjected to a moderate or comparatively low
temperature in order to distil the oil in the best manner. When the mineral has
become reduced to "spent shale" or coke a much higher heat is applied to it and
highly superheated steam is injected into it in order to decompose the coke and
drive off the most of the remaining carbon and the ammonia. The residuary
earthy matter or ash is finally drawn out of the retort which is then ready to
receive a fresh supply of mineral. At an interval equal to about one half the time
occupied by the two stages of treatment of the mineral in one retort, fresh shale is
filled into the retort at the other side of the bench and the highly heated gases and
vapors produced during the second stage of one retort are led through the fresh
minerals in the other the heat being thus utilised in promoting the distillation of
the fresh mineral.
The volatile products from the retorts are led to condensers, scrubbers, and other
separating apparatus in the usual way, the incondensible combustible gas being
returned to the combustion chambers of the retorts and being supplemented if
necessary by gas specially produced in a gas producer.
If preferred the highly heated gases and vapors produced during the second
stage in one retort may be passed through the regenerative chambers instead of
through the retort containing the fresh mineral.
"
The improved apparatus herein before described may be advantageously used as
a gas producer to obtain combustible heating gas (and other products) from coal.
And in using the apparatus for this purpose the two stages of treatment are
adopted as in the application already described. After the coal has become coked
in one retort or chamber during the first stage air is admitted during the second
stage so as to completely burn the carbon and the carbonic acid thereby formed is
led through the coal passing through its first stage in the other retort or chamber.
In apparatus constructed as described in the earlier Specification hereinbefore
referred to the retorts are placed above chambers used as furnaces for burning and
thus utilising the "spent shale or coke which is transferred to them from the
retorts after the oil is distilled. This apparatus may be modified for carrying out
the present Invention in the following manner. The lower chambers are divided
by a transverse partition so that there may be one to a pair of retorts which are
one on each side of the bench. Each lower chamber is provided with a valve or
damper to shut off communication with the exit flue and with a branch pipe and
valves communicating with the main leading to the condensers and separating
apparatus; and when the coke is first put into the chamber and for a suitable time,
it is subjected to a high heat and highly superheated steam is injected into it to
drive off ammoniacal and other volatile matters which are led to the condensers
and separating apparatus. When this treatment has been continued sufficiently to
yield the best economical results the communication with the condenser main is
closed and the flue outlet opened, after which air is admitted to burn the carbon
remaining in the coke. If the heat thus obtained together with that due to the
permanent gas is insufficient it may be supplemented by adding the required amount
of coal to the coke or by supplying gas from a gas producer. Regenerative
chambers may be combined with this modification of the improved apparatus as
described in connection with the first modification; and spaces or flues may be
formed in or between the walls of the lower chambers should it be necessary to
apply heat externally to them at any stage of the operations; or the required heat
may be applied internally by means of combustible gas ignited within the chambers
or prior to entering them.

page_text: SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed
by the said Norman McFarlane Henderson in the Patent Office on the
25th June 1884.
NORMAN MCFARLANE HENDERSON, of the Broxburn Oil Works, in the County
of Linlithgow, North Britain "IMPROVEMENTS IN OBTAINING OIL AND GAS FROM
MINERALS AND IN APPARATUS THEREFOR
"
My said Invention has for its object to still further improve and develop the
system and apparatus described in the Specification of Letters Patent granted to
me and dated 10 April 1873 (N° 1327) and comprises arrangements which can be
adapted for obtaining either oil or combustible gas as the larger product according
to the mineral employed or the object in view in each case; and which facilitate
the obtainment of ammonia and other valuable by-products.
In carrying out my Invention according to one modification vertical retorts are
constructed in rows, two rows forming a bench. The structure consists of strong
external or side walls the retort chambers or spaces being formed by comparatively
thin transverse vertical walls of suitable brick work, and spaces are also formed
between the retorts for the passage of hot gases to heat the retorts.
The hot gases
consist of combustible gas ignited in arched combustion chambers constructed
beneath the retorts; and what are known as regenerative chambers are employed
for utilising the waste heat and economising the gaseous fuel.
When shale or other oil-yielding mineral is being operated on and the principal
object is to obtain oil, the mineral is dealt with in the following manner in each
pair of retorts. Fresh shale is filled into the retort at one side, and at first and for
a suitable length, of time is subjected to a moderate or comparatively low
temperature in order to distil the oil in the best manner. When the mineral has
been reduced to "spent shale" or coke, a much higher heat is applied to it, and
highly superheated steam is injected into it in order to decompose the coke and
drive off the most of the remaining carbon and the ammonia. The residuary earthy
matter or ash is finally drawn out of the retort, which is then ready to receive a
fresh supply of mineral. At an interval equal to about one half of the time
occupied by the two stages of treatment of the mineral in one retort, fresh mineral
is filled into the retort at the other side of the bench and the highly heated gases
and vapors produced during the second stage of one retort are led through the
fresh minerals in the other, the heat being thus utilised in promoting the
distillation of the fresh mineral.
The volatile products from the retorts are led to condensers, scrubbers, and other
separating apparatus in the usual way, the incondensible combustible gas being
returned to the combustion chambers of the retorts and being supplemented if
necessary by gas specially produced in a gas producer.
My improved apparatus may be advantageously used as a gas producer to obtain
combustible heating gas (and other products) from coal; and in using the apparatus
for this purpose the two stages of treatment are adopted as in the application
already described. After the coal has become coked in one retort or chamber
during the first stage, air is admitted during the second stage so as to completely
burn the carbon, and the carbonic acid thereby formed is led through the coal
passing through its first stage in the other retort or chamber.
In apparatus constructed as described in my earlier Specification hereinbefore
referred to the retorts are placed above chambers used as furnaces for burning and
thus utilising the "spent shale" or coke which is transferred to them from the
retorts after the oil is distilled. This apparatus may be modified for carrying out
my present Invention in a manner which is hereinafter described.

page_text: And in order that my said Invention and the manner of performing the same
may be properly understood I hereunto append two sheets of explanatory drawings
to be hereinafter referred to and representing two modifications of my improved
apparatus.
Figures, 1, to 5, on sheet, 1, of the accompanying drawings show the construction
which I prefer to adopt with new retorts, figures, 1, and 2, being a plan and side
elevation, figures, 3, and 4, horizontal and vertical sections, and figure, 5, a vertical
section as at right angles to figure, 4. Figures, 6, to 8, on sheet, 2, show the
manner of applying my present improvements or some of them to apparatus of the
kind described in my earlier Specification herein before referred to, figure, 6, being a
horizontal section, and figures 7, and 8, being vertical sections as at right angles to
each other. In these drawings the same reference numerals are used to mark the
same or like parts wherever they are repeated.
In the modification shown on sheet, 1, of the drawings the retorts are narrow
vertical chambers or spaces, 11, constructed in the upper part of a brick work
building or ben h, comprising two rows of such retorts. Between the retorts, 11,
flue spaces, 12, are formed of about equal extent but narrower, the section in
figure, 4, being taken as through the retort on one side and through the flue space
on the other side. The retorts, 11, are formed with inclined bottoms, 13, descending
towards the opposite sides of the bench; and immediately beneath the bottoms
there are arched spaces, 14, which are to be used as combustion chambers, the
retorts, 11, being heated by means of combustible gas led into these chambers, 14,
and therein ignited, the air required being supplied and regulated in any convenient
way, whilst the ignited gases pass up by flues, 15, into the flue spaces, 12, between
and at the sides of the retoris, 11. Below the combustion chambers, 14, (or it
might be, in any other suitable situation) regenerative chambers, 15, 16, 17, 18, are
constructed and have placed in them the usual open brick checkerwork. Flues or
passages, 19, 20, and valves, 21, are provided in connection with the regenerative
chambers, 15, 16, 17, 18, as usual with such apparatus, and are in practice
manipulated so that the hot gases after acting on the retorts, 11, may pass through
two chambers, 15, 16, on their way to the chimney whilst the combustible gas and
air pass through the other two chambers, 17, 18, and take up the heat previously
deposited therein, the routes respectively of the used gases and of the fresh gas
and air being interchanged at suitable intervals as is well understood. Only one
combustion chamber, 14, is in action as such at a time, and as each flue space, 12,
on one side of the bench communicates at the top with a similar flue space on the
other side, the freshly ignited gases proceed from one chamber, 14, up one flue
space, 12, and down the other to the other chamber, 14, whence they pass through
two of the regenerative chambers to the valves and finally to the chimney. The
fresh air and gas enter at the bottoins of the other two regenerative chambers and
pass from the tops of them into the combustion chamber where they become
ignited. Sight holes are provided at various points, and valves or dampers are
arranged for regulating the gaseous currents and the heat thereby applied to the
several retorts, and for carrying out the systems or modes of operation or the
manner of working the retorts hereinbefore described. The two retorts, 11, which
are opposite to or in line with each other across the bench communicate by a port
at the top; and when the contents of one retort are going through their second
stage the vapors and gases from them pass over into the other retort through
which they pass in a downward direction, the volatile products from both retorts
passing off from the bottom of the retort the contents of which are in their first
stage, by a pipe, 22. Similar outlet pipes, 22, connect the bottoms of the retorts
on both sides of the bench with mains, 23, which lead the distilled products to the
condensing and separating apparatus, but the outlet pipes, 22, are clos d at the
retorts the contents of which are at their second stage. Steam is supplied by
pipes, 24, having branches, 25, with stopcocks, connected to the mouth pieces, 26,
of the several retorts; and these branch pipes, 25, are constructed to act as injectors
for carrying some air through nozzles, 27, into the retorts, such air being thus

page_text: introduced to promote the thorough combustion of the residuary carbonaceous
matter of the minerals. The steam and air are introduced in this way into the
retorts the contents of which are at the second stage.
In modifying for the purposes of my present Invention, apparatus of the kind
described in my earlier Specification herein before referred to, I alter them to the
construction shown on sheet, 2, of the accompanying drawings. Instead of having
each set of four retorts in connection with one partially divided fire chamber, I
completely divide such fire chamber by a wall so that only two retorts may be in
connection with one fire or lower chamber. This dividing wall may be transverse
to the line of the bench as mentioned in my Provisional Specification relative
hereto, but I now prefer to make it parallel to the line of the bench, with the two
retorts that are in connection with one lower chamber, beside each other instead of
being on opposite sides of the bench. The dividing wall, 31, is shown in section
in figure, 7, and in elevation in figure, 8, and in these figures is also shown in
elevation and section respectively a low perforated_wall, 32, which transversely
divides the lower part of each lower chamber, 33. From the top of each lower
chamber, 33, there extends upwards an exit flue, 34, which is provided with a
valve or damper, 35, to shut off communication with the oven space, 36, above;
whilst to a second flue or passage, 37, there is connected a branch outlet pipe, 38,
fitted with the requisite valves and connected to a main, 39, which is by preference
separate from the main, 40, for leading away the distilled products from the
retorts, 41.
When the coke or "spent shale" from one of the two retorts, 41, worked in
connection with one lower chamber, 33, is first transferred to that chamber, and
for a suitable time thereafter, it is subjected to a high heat and highly superheated
steam is injected into it to drive off ammoniacal and other volatile matters which
are led to the condensers and separating apparatus. When this treatment has
been continued sufficiently to yield the best economical results, the communication
with the condenser main, 39, is closed, and the flue valve, 35, opened, after which
air is admitted to burn the carbon remaining in the coke. If the heat thus obtained
together with that due to the permanent gas is insufficient it may be supplemented
by adding the required amount of coal to the coke or by supplying gas from a
gas producer. The final ashes or residues of the coke are discharged by opening
doors, 42, at the bottoms of the chambers, 33, there being a door to each half of
each chamber. When the ashes have been discharged from the space on one side
of the low wall, 32, and the door, 42, closed, a portion of the coke at the other side
of the chamber is pushed over the wall, 32, to form a hot bed on which to receive
the fresh coke from the retort. Provision is made for injecting steam by pipes, 43,
into both compartments of each chamber, 33; and when a fresh charge of coke has
been dropped into the chamber and is lodged principally at one side of the wall, 32,
the steam is admitted wholly or mainly at the other side and taking up heat from
the incandescent coke at that side passes partly through the perforations in the
wall, 32, so as to act on the main part of the fresh coke. I believe that in this
way the best results will be most economically obtained, but the precise mode of
working may be varied as may be found desirable in practice.
Regenerative chambers may be combined with this modification of my improved
apparatus, as described in connection with my first modification; and spaces or
flues may be formed in or between the walls of the lower chambers should it be
necessary to apply heat externally to them at any stage of the operations; or the
required heat may be applied internally by means of combustible gas ignited within
the chambers or prior to entering them.
Having thus particularly described my said Invention and the manner of
performing the same I have to state that I do not restrict myself to the precise
details herein described or delineated but that what I believe to be novel and
original and claim as the Invention secured to me by and in terms of the
herein before in part recited Letters Patent is
-
1. The improved process for obtaining oil and gas from minerals and consisting

page_text: in treating the minerals at different stages in contiguous retorts, and in passing
through the minerals when fresh or at their first stage in one retort the volatile
matters proceeding from the partly spent minerals at their second stage in another
retort, each charge of minerals being successively subjected to the first and second
stages of treatment in the same retort substantially as herein before described.
2. The combination of apparatus hereinbefore described with reference to sheet, 1,
of the accompanying drawings.
3. The combination of apparatus hereinbefore described with reference to sheet, 2,
of the accompanying drawings.
4. The improved process for obtaining oil and gas from minerals hereinbefore
described with reference to sheet, 2, of the accompanying drawings.
In Witness whereof I, the said Norman McFarlane Henderson, have hereunto
set my hand and seal this twenty-third day of June in the year of our Lord One
thousand eight hundred and eighty-four.
Witness,
EDMUND HUNT.
Patent Agent
Glasgow.
N. M. HENDERSON
(L.S.)