IMPROVEMENTS IN APPARATUS FOR ECONOMIZING THE WASTE HEAT AND GASES FROM FURNACES, AND IN MEANS FOR GENERATING, COLLECTING, AND PURIFYING GASES, SUCH GASES BEING APPLICABLE TO VARIOUS USEFUL PURPOSES
Year: 1870

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Thomas Atkins, of Saint Albans, in the County
of Herts, for the Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN APPARATUS FOR
ECONOMIZING THE WASTE HEAT AND GASES FROM FURNACES, AND IN MEANS
FOR GENERATING, COLLECTING, AND PURIFYING GASES, SUCH GASES BEING
APPLICABLE TO VARIOUS USEFUL PURPOSES."
Sealed the 17th February 1871, and dated the 31st August 1870.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Thomas Atkins at the
Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on the
31st August 1870.
I, THOMAS ATKINS, of Saint Albans, in the County of Herts, do
hereby declare the nature of the said Invention for "IMPROVEMENTS IN
APPARATUS FOR ECONOMIZING THE WASTE HEAT AND GASES FROM FURNACES, AND
IN MEANS FOR GENERATING, COLLECTING, AND PURIFYING GASES, SUCH GASES BEING
APPLICABLE TO VARIOUS USEFUL PURPOSES," to be as follows:—
The first part of this Invention relates to the utilization of the gases
and waste heat escaping from steam boiler and other furnaces. For this
purpose I arrange a stationary or rotary screen composed of a series of

page_text: pipes perforated with fine holes and surrounded by wire gauze, fire-brick,
pumice stone, or other suitable materials for screening and filtering such
gases as they escape into the escape flue, an injector being employed to
force the hot gases into a boiler or steam generator for economizing and
utilizing the otherwise waste heat.
The steam and vapour of a steam boiler charged with gases, as pre-
viously described, may be employed for actuating steam engines or for
increasing combustion in furnaces of every description by introducing
it in the form of jets or spray.
In generating gases in accordance with my Invention I construct a
stove or cylinder of any desired form, and fix a movable grate in the
same and admit air through a suitable_valve-or-opening-to-the-materials-
employed for combustion for generating gases. The said materials are
composed of different proportions of mineral, vegetable, and animal
charcoal combined with coke or anthracite coal. By the combustion of
these materials in the said stove I generate carbonic acid and nitrogenic
gases of various specific gravities in the proportion of the different
mixtures used therein, as described in the Specification of a Patent
granted to me bearing date the 4th day of March 1870, No. 642, such
gases according to the Invention therein described being employed for
extinguishing fire or for warming buildings, and to the use of such gases
for those purposes I make no claim in my present application for Letters
Patent, I extract the said gases by a steam jet or injector, or by vacuum
or pressure, by a pump, or by a vessel filled with water, such water as it
is discharged forming a partial vacuum.
For purifying or filtering the gases generated as before described I
employ either a stationary or rotary screen composed of a series of pipes
perforated with fine holes, and surrounded by wire gauze, fire-brick, or
pumice stone of any degree of fineness, and I employ a steam jet for
cleansing the said screen when required.
The gases may be washed in pure water or in water containing lime in
solution, or a proportion of oxide of iron for their purification. For
storing such gases I employ a force pump to force the gases into vessels
at suitable pressures ready for use. I apply the said gases by introducing
them into any vessel employed for storing and preserving food, milk,
beer, syrups, or other liquids, the gases being introduced into such
vessels either by their specific gravity or by any required pressure, or
they may be connected with a pump, and may be forced into a boiler or

page_text: vessel containing fluids, by which action I effect the purification and
preservation of such fluids, food, or materials, or for refining and
purifying sugar. By changing the various proportions of the said fuel I
obtain gases of various admixtures and densities as may be found most
suitable in practice for purifying water, and whereby the incrustation of
steam boilers may be prevented. For cooling the gases they are passed
through pipes, such pipes being surrounded with other pipes for securing
a running stream of water containing ice or iced water; or the outside
tubes may be surrounded with cloth or other material kept damp for
evaporation. Such pipes may be connected with a cistern, and the
water used may be employed to purify the gases as before mentioned.
By the combination of the materials used to produce the gases and
the apparatus for generating and purifying the same, I obtain gases of
different mixtures and specific gravities, and at such temperatures as
may be required.
SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent,
filed by the said Thomas Atkins in the Great Seal Patent Office
on the 28th February 1871.
TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, I, TuOMAS
ATKINS, of Saint Albans, in the County of Herts, send greeting.
WHEREAS Her most Excellent Majesty Queen Victoria, by Her
Letters Patent, bearing date the Thirty-first day of August, in the year
of our Lord One thousand eight hundred and seventy, in the thirty-
fourth year of Her reign did, for Herself, Her heirs and successors, give
and grant unto me, the said Thomas Atkins, Her special licence, that I,
the said Thomas Atkins, my executors, administrators, and assigns, or
such others as I, the said Thomas Atkins, 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 might make, use, exercise, and vend, within the United
Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland, the Channel Islands, and Isle
of Man, an Invention for "IMPROVEMENTS IN APPARATUS FOR ECONOMIZING
THE WASTE HEAT AND GASES PROM FURNACES, AND IN MEANS FOR GENERATING,
COLLECTING, AND PURIFYING GASES, SUCH GASES BEING APPLICABLE TO VARIOUS
USEFUL PURPOSES," upon the condition (amongst others) that I, the said

page_text: Thomas Atkins, my executors or administrators, by an instrument in
writing under my, or their, or one of their hands and scals, should
particularly describe 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 I, the said Thomas Atkins, 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 thereof, that is to say:—
The first part of my Invention relates to the utilization of the gases
_and_waste-heat-cscaping-from-the-flues-of-steam-boiler-and-other-
furnaces which would otherwise pass into the atmosphere and be lost.
For this purpose I arrange a stationary or rotary screen composed of a
series of pipes perforated with fine holes, and surrounded by wire gauze,
fire-brick, pumice stone, or other suitable materials for screening or
filtering the gases as they escape into and are withdrawn from the
'escape flue to be utilized as hercin-after described in accordance with
my Invention.
Figures 1 and 2 of the Drawings hereunto annexed represent a side
and end view of a rotary screen and a series of pipes suitably arranged
for withdrawing the gases and heated products of combustion from the
escape flue of a steam boiler or other furnace; and Figures 3 and 3*
show similar screens arranged and applied at the back end of a double-
flued boiler and to the boiler of a locomotive engine.
a, a, is an endless band of wire gauze mounted upon rollers a¹, a',
supported in bearings formed in the frame b, motion being commu-
nicated to the rollers a, a, by means of a strap or band passing around
the pullies a², a², or by other mechanism actuated by a steam engine or
other motive power; c is an exhaust pipe having a series of branch
pipes c¹, c¹, perforated with fine holes, and which may be encased in
other perforated pipes c², as shown in section at Figure 1*, the annular
space between the two pipes c¹ and c² being filled with broken fire-brick,
pumice stone, or other suitable materials to screen, filter, or arrest the
passage of dust or particles from the fuel entering into the exhaust
pipes c', by which the heated gases are withdrawn from the furnace
flues. I employ a steam jet for cleansing the said screen when required.
An injector or injectors, or a pump, or other equivalent may be employed

page_text: for exhausting, the pipe c, in order to withdraw the heated gases from.
the escape flues of steam boiler or other furnaces, and force such gases.
into a steam boiler or generator for economizing and utilizing the
otherwise waste heat.
The steam and vapour of a steam boiler charged with gases; as pre-
viously described,, may be employed for actuating steam engines or for
increasing combustion in furnaces of every description by introducing
the same in the form of jets or spray.
At Figure 4 a series of exhaust pipes c and c¹ (which may be screened
with wire gauze) arc, represented as arranged within the flues of a steam
boiler at the back of the fire-grates for the purpose of withdrawing the
gases at various distances from the fuel chamber or point of combustion,
and at Figure 5 exhaust pipes c and c¹ are represented as passing around
the fire-grate or combustion chamber in order to withdraw the gases
and heated products direct therefrom...
To utilize the gases for melting metals and adapting same to furnaces
for smelting or other purposes I exhaust the gases. at different altitudes.
Figure 5 shows the application of a series of exhaust pipes c, c³,
arranged so, as, to withdraw gases at different elevations from the
chamber of a blast furnace for the purpose of using and applying such
gases in accordance with my improvements. The gases as they are
withdrawn from furnaces or flues, as previously described, may be con-
ducted into gas holders or receivers arranged as shown at Figure 11 of
the Drawings, or in any other convenient manner, ready for being used
in combination with steam by forcing the same into steam boilers, or.
for reintroducing such gases combined with steam into furnaces for
increasing combustion and economizing fuel, and such gases may be.
purified as herein-after described in reference to another part of my
improvements. These gases of different qualities combined with steam
in a steam boiler pass together to. the cylinder of a steam engine, and
from thence they may be returned to the furnace or free chamber with
or without being mixed with the stored gases and be again subjected to
combustion. The gases may be forced into a steam boiler, as before stated,
either by means of an injector or force pump, and such gases combined
with the steam may be again submitted to combustion after giving off
their power for communicating motion by a steam or other motive power
engine.

page_text: In supplying air to furnaces for supporting combustion and generating
heat and gases I prefer to conduct the air to the furnace through.
chambers containing a mixture of mineral, animal, and vegetable char-
coal in about the following proportions, by preference one part of
mineral coke or anthracite coal, three parts animal charcoal, and sixteen
parts vegetable charcoal, the charcoal being in particles of such a size as
to permit a free circulation of the air in its passage through the chamber
to the furnace. These chambers d may be attached to or arranged in
combination with the furnace doors, ash-pits, or air passages now in use,
or they may be mounted in frames and be so arranged as to travel to
and fro on trucks or rollers d', d', in front of the entrance to the
furnace, as shown at Figures 5 and 6 of the Drawings annexed, or they
may be hung with counterbalance weights, or move on hinges like
ordinary furnace doors, as is well understood.
Figure 6 shows the application of such chambers d to flues or
passages. By passing the air through chambers d before entering the
furnace or combustion chamber the air will be rendered more suitable
for supporting combustion, fuel being by this means economized.
Suitable doors or apertures are formed in each chamber d for the pur-
pose of filling and discharging the contents when required. Valves or
dampers may be arranged in combination with the screens or chambers d
to regulate the admission of air through them to the furnace. The
dead or front plate in front of the furnace bars may be arranged to
move upon hinges or joints to act as a flap valve to conduct the air into
the furnace for supporting combustion either above the fuel or into the
ash-pit, so as to pass up between the bars into the furnace.
In generating and purifying gases applicable to various useful purposes
in accordance with my Invention I construct a stove or cylinder of any
desired form, and fix a movable grate in the same, and admit air
through a suitable valve or opening to the materials employed for com-
bustion for generating the gases required. The materials for supporting
combustion are composed of mineral, vegetable, and animal charcoal
combined with coke or anthracite coal in different proportions, varying
according to the nature of the gas it is desired to produce. By the
combustion of these materials in the said stove I generate carbonic and
nitrogenic gases of various specific gravities, the combined gases being
in relative proportion to the several proportions of the combustible
materials employed for producing the same, as described in the Speci-

page_text: .
fication of a Patent granted to me, bearing date the 4th day of March
1870, No. 642, such gases, according to the Invention therein described,
being employed for extinguishing fire or for warming buildings, and to
the generation and use of such gases for those purposes I make no
further claim. I extract or withdraw the said gases from the stove in
which they are generated by means of a steam jet or injector, or by
vacuum or pressure by a pump, or by means of a vessel filled with
water, such water as it is discharged from the vessel forming a partial
vacuum, and serving as a receiver for the said gases.
The gases may be washed in pure water, or in water containing lime
in solution, or a proportion of oxide of iron for their purification.
Figure 8 is an elevation, Figure 9 a vertical section, and Figure 10 a
plan of apparatus suitably arranged for washing and purifying gases
generated in stoves or withdrawn from furnaces, as previously described,
so as to render such gases suitable for being employed for various pur-
poses in accordance with my Invention. A is the stove for generating
gases by the combustion of mineral, animal, and vegetable charcoal, as
previously described in the Specification before referred to.
The gases
as they are generated are forced or drawn through the pipe e¹ into the
upper compartment of the inverted vessel e; from the compartment e²
the gases pass down the series of dip pipes e³, which descend below the
surface of the water, lime, oxide of iron, or other purifying fluid or
materials contained in the vessel f, the gases rising up through such fluid
or material into the chamber of the inverted vessel e, from which the
gases are withdrawn through the pipe f¹ to be stored in suitable gas
holders or receivers.
For storing such gases I employ a force pump to force the gases into
vessels at suitable pressures ready for use. I apply the said gases by
introducing them into any vessel employed for storing and preserving
food, milk, beer, syrups, or other liquids, the gases being introduced into
such vessels either at their own specific gravity or at any required
pressure. Or the gases may be placed in communication with a pump,
and may be forced into a boiler or vessel containing fluids, by which
means I effect the purification and preservation of such fluids, food, or
other materials contained in such vessels. Or such gases may be
employed for the purpose of refining and purifying sugar by forcing
them through the same whilst in the form of syrup, or for refining oil
by similar means.

page_text: By varying the proportions of the fuel employed for generating gases,
in accordance with this part of my improvements, I obtain cases of
various admixtures and densities as may be found most suitable in
practice for purifying water, and whereby the incrustation of steam
boilers may be prevented. The proportions or mixtures of the gases
for these purposes will depend upon the chemical qualities of the water
to be acted upon by firing such gases through the same. By the com-
bination of the materials used to produce the gases and the apparatus
for generating and purifying the same I obtain gases of different
mixtures and specific gravities, and at such temperatures as. may be
desired for the purposes to which such gases are to be applied.
For cooling the gases they are passed through pipes, such pipes being
surrounded by other pipes containing ice or iced water, or the outside
tubes may be surrounded with cloth or other material kept damp for
evaporation..
Figure 11 shows an improved arrangement of gas holders g, g*, for
withdrawing, receiving, and storing the gases as they are generated in
the stove A. is a piston moving up and down in the cylinder ', the
piston rod being connected to the top of the gas holder g.. By admitting
steam through the steam pipe h² to the under side of the piston / the
gas holder g will be raised, and the gas and products of combustion, will
be drawn from the stove A through the pipes e¹ and g¹, and thus fill
the gas holder g. By cutting off the supply through the pipes g', and
admitting steam to the upper side of the piston h, the gas will be forced
out of the gas holder g through the outlet pipe i, to be conducted and
applied to any desired purpose in accordance with my Invention, or the
gas may be forced into suitable vessels at any desired pressure, to be
stored ready for use when required. The gas may be thus conducted
into and discharged from a series of gas holders g, g*, simultaneously or
alternately as may be required.
Figure 12 shows a series of thrce of such vessels j for storing the
gases under pressure mounted in a frame k upon wheels for transport
to any situation where the gases are required to be used or applied.
Figure 11 also shows the method I employ for conducting the gases
gencrated in the stove A into vessels or chambers m containing food, milk,
beer, or other perishable matters which require to be stored and pre-
served. The gas in its passage from the stove is conducted through the
purifying vessel m by the pipe m', as shown, and from this vessel it

page_text: passes through the pipe m² by preference into the lower part of the
vessel, chamber, safe, or refrigerator (which may be of any suitable
size or shape) containing the food, fluid, or other substances to be pre-
served. The gases may be withdrawn from the vessel when required
by means of the tap or pipe o, and a fresh supply of gas introduced
again if necessary. The pipe m² may be kept cool by means of a
stream of water flowing through the outer pipe or casing m³, or by ice
or evaporation from the surface, as is well understood.
In order to prevent the explosion of the gases employed in accordance
with my Invention, when being introduced into or withdrawn from the
gas holders or otherwise, the gas is conducted through screens of fine
wire gauze to protect such gases from the risk of explosion; and in order
to maintain a regular supply a gas regulator is employed, as is well
understood. I would remark that the means and apparatus previously
described for carrying my improvements into practice may be greatly
varied without departing from the true character of my Invention.
In witness whereof, I, the said Thomas Atkins, have hereunto set
my hand and seal, this Twenty-third day of February, in the
year of our Lord One thousand eight hundred and seventy-one.