Improvements relating to Steam Boxes for Gas-producing Chambers.
Year: 1897

page_text: Date of Application, 27th July, 1897-Accepted, 28th Aug., 1897
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements relating to Steam Boxes for Gas-producing Chambers.
We, JOSEPH EVERSON, of 16, Tredegar Street, Rhiwderin, near Newport,
Monmouthshire, Stoker, and THOMAS WILLIAMS, of 5, Milman Street, Newport,
Monmouthshire, Dock Foreman, do hereby declare the nature of this 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 the process of producing gas from coal in chambers, or
ovens for the purpose of supplying gas for consumption in steam boiler furnaces,
regenerative furnaces for steel making, and like and analogous furnaces.
This invention consists in improvements in steam boxes employed, in connection
with the said process, for supplying steam to the chamber in which the gas is
produced, as is well understood.
According to this invention, the steam boxes are so made and fitted that the steam
instead of, as heretofore, being discharged through nozzles extending only part way
through the fire-brick walls of the chamber, is conducted by removable extensions of
the nozzles which extend inwards into the chambers beyond the inner faces of the
walls thereof. The extensions of the nozzles are removable open-ended ferrules of
cast iron which are slid over the nozzles. These ferrules when sufficiently worn or
burnt are replaced by others. By them the steam is conducted clear of the wall
into the gas-producing chamber, and the injected steam is thus more evenly
distributed and the fuel from which the gas is produced is more uniformly and
perfectly consumed.
A further feature of novelty consists in providing a drain pipe, controlled by a
cock, for drawing off condensed steam from the steam box,
Referring to the accompanying drawings, Fig. 1 represents, in front view, a
It is furnished with removable
steam box for gas-producing pits or chambers.
ferrules in accordance with this invention.
Fig. 2 is a plan, and Fig. 3 is a transverse section through one of the
blowing nozzles.
The body a of the steam box, which is a vessel of cast iron or steel, does not differ
from the bodies of those hitherto used. It is designed to be embedded in the usual
way in the firebrick wall of the gas-producing pit or chamber. One of the
improvements comprised in this invention consists in the provision, on the nozzles b
of ferrules c of cast iron or steel. These ferrules care of such length that they
project beyond the inner face of the wall in which the steam box is embedded. The
approximate position of the inner face of the wall of the gas-producing chamber is
indicated at Figs. 2 and 3 by the line x, x. By the ferrules c the steam from the
box a is carried well clear of the inner face of the wall of the chamber. Consequently,
the 'steam is not discharged, as heretofore, in holes in the walls containing the nozzles
and therefore the duration of the walls is extended.
Further, by carrying the steam into the gas-producing chamber before allowing it
to be discharged the beneficial effect obtained by using steam is enhanced.

page_text: The ferrules c are removable and when through wear, burning, or other cause, they
are rendered unserviceable, they are removed and replaced by others without
necessitating displacement of the steam box. It is only necessary to remove as
much of the brickwork as will enable the ferrules to be withdrawn.
By reason of the reduced destructive effect exerted by the steam on the walls,
the number of nozzles may be increased. They may be situated at various positions
along the steam box according to the distribution of steam desired. Hitherto it has
been generally customary to eniploy two nozzles only in a steam box.
A further improvement comprised in this invention consists in the provision of a
drain pipe d with controlling cock d¹ situated clear of the outer face of the wall and
accessible for operation. By this provision condensed steam can be readily and
easily drained off, when required, without disturbing the walls of the chamber.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of this invention,
and in what manner the same is to be performed, we declare that what we
claim is :-
1. In steam boxes for gas-producing chambers, the provision on the nozzles by
which the steam is conducted from the boxes to the gas-producing chambers of
removable ferrules such as c extending inwards beyond the inner face of the wall of
the gas-produciug chamber, substantially as hereinabove described with reference to
the accompanying drawings and for the purpose set forth.
2. The provision, in a steam box for gas-producing furnaces, of a drain pipe such
as d having a cock such as d, or the equivalent thereof, situated outside the outer
face of the chamber wall, substantially as and for the purpose specified.
Dated thin wath dow of T..].. 1007
NICHOLAS WATTS,
Chartered Patent Agent, Bristol.