IMPROVEMENTS IN THE DIANUFACTURE OF MALLEABLE IRON AND IN APPARATUS THEREFOR.
Year: 1882

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to William Seddon Sutherland of Birmingham in the
County of Warwick Engineer for an Invention of IMPROVEMENTS IN
LETTERS PATENT to William Seddon Sutherland of Birmingham in the
County of Warwick Engineer for an Invention of IMPROVEMENTS IN
THE DIANUFACTURE OF MALLEABLE IRON AND IN APPARATUS THEREFOR.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said William Seddon Sutherland
at the Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 14th August 1882.
«
WILLIAM SEDDON SUTHERLAND of Birmingham in the County of Warwick
Engineer 'IMPROVEMENTS IN THE MANUFACTURE OF MALLEABLE IRON AND IN
APPARATUS THEREFOR
"
The main object is to facilitate and cheapen the manufacture or conversion of
cast iron into malleable or what is generally known as wrought iron.
The invention consists essentially in novel treatment of molten cast iron with
the gaseous agents hereinafter described, and in' apparatus specially adapted for
carrying the said treatment into effect.
First. Molten cast iron in the apparatus hereafter described, in a Bessemer
converter or equivalent receptacle, is subjected to the action of currents of heated
carbonic oxide gas and air by forcing such gases through amongst the mass side by
side in thin streams or mixed together, the carbonic oxide being in excess.
The action of the gas and air on the metal is continued until the required
quantity of carbon has been removed and only the necessary proportion thereof
remains in the metal to render it malleable or in the condition known as
wrought iron.
The carbonic oxide is most advantageously obtained by the incomplete com-
bustion of coal in a producer in the usual manner and regenerators or other
convenient means are used to heat the gas and air before they are brought into
contact with the molten metal.
Second. Apparatus under my invention is constructed as follows:-Three
chambers or receptacles are constructed of suitable fire resisting materials side by
side. In one of such chambers the cast iron is melted, in the second the molten
cast iron is subjected to the action of the gaseous agents and in the third the

page_text: finished iron is kept heated and run off as required. Suitable passages are provided
between the chambers or receptacles and they are heated by direct combustion or
by preference with gaseous fuel. The bottom and sides of the central chainber are
removable to admit of easy renewal of lining or substitution of parts. The
central or converting chambers or receptacle has below the same or alongside
regenerators and gas and air chambers from which the gas and air enter central or
converting chamber.
Instead of the apparatus set forth under the above second part a converter or
receptacle of any suitable character may be used and the gas and air may be
injected amongst or blown or forced through the molten metal in any convenient
manner and oxygen gas or gas containing oxygen may be used instead of air.
SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed
by the said William Seddon Sutherland in the Great Seal Patent Office on
the 14th February 1883.
WILLIAM SEDDON SUTHERLAND of Birmingham in the County of Warwick.
Engineer. IMPROVEMENTS IN THE MANUFACTURE OF MALLEABLE IRON AND IN
APPARATUS THEREFOR
"
The main object is to facilitate and cheapen the manufacture or conversion of
cast iron into malleable or what is generally known as wrought iron.
The invention consists essentially in novel treatment of molten cast iron with
the gaseous agents hereinafter described, and in apparatus specially adapted for
carrying the said treatment into effect.
First. Molten cast iron in the apparatus hereafter described in a Bessemer
converter or equivalent receptacle is subjected to the action of currents of heated
carbonic oxide gas and air by forcing such gases through amongst the mass side by
side in thin streams, the carbonic oxide being in excess.
The action of the gas and air on the metal is continued until the required
quantity of carbon has been removed and only the necessary proportion thereof
remains in the metal to render it malleable or in the condition known as
wrought iron.
The carbonic oxide is most advantageously obtained by the incomplete com-
bustion of coal in a producer in the usual manner and regenerators or other
convenient means are used to heat the gas and air before they are brought into
contact with the molten metal.
Second. Apparatus under my invention is constructed as follows:-Three
chambers or receptacles are constructed of suitable fire resisting material side by
side. In one of such chambers the cast iron is melted, in the second the molten
cast iron is subjected to the action of the gaseous agents and in the third the
finished iron is kept heated and run off as required. Suitable passages are provided

page_text: between the chambers or receptacles and they are heated by direct combustion or
by preference with gaseous fuel. The bottom and sides of the central chamber are
removable to admit of easy removal of lining or substitution of parts. The
central or converting chamber or receptacle has below the same or alongside
regenerators and gas and air chambers from which the gas and air enter the said
central or converting chambers.
Instead of the apparatus set forth under the above second part a converter or
receptacle of any suitable character may be used and the gas and air may be
njected amongst or blown or forced through the molten metal in any convenient
Fig 1 is a section through the vessel in which the molten cast iron is submitted
to the action of the carbonic oxide gas and air. In this figure a furnace for receiving
the metal after treatment is also shown and also the spout through which the cast
iron melted in a suitable furnace flows into the converting furnace.
Fig 2 is a longitudinal section of the converting furnace, shewing its connection
with a regenerator for heating the air blast. The inlet for the air is also shewn
but in this particular case for the sake of simplicity the gas is admitted cold the air
alone being heated.
A is the converting furnace. B is the moveable bottom carried on the carriage C
by means of the screw and worms D. The carriage runs on rails so that it can
easily be moved away and replaced, and the bottom B can by means of the screws
and worm wheels be easily lowered down or screwed home into place. When the
bottom B is in position it fits against the air main E. and a joint is made in the
usual manner. It is evident that the joints may be cooled by water to prevent
twisting. The gas inlets F are jointed to the ends of the gas chambers G Ĝ. The
converting furnace is carried on the struts H. The action is as follows:-Air is
forced at the requisite pressure into the previously heated regenerator I and
becoming heated passes on through the air main E into the hot air chamber K
lined with brickwork. The said air then passes through the narrow tuyere or
passage L into the converting furnace. At the same time carbonic oxide gas (or
gas containing a sufficient quantity of carbonic oxide such as producer gas or water
gas) is forced at the requisite pressure through the gas inlets E into the gas
chambers G and passes thence through the tuyeres or passages M on each side of
the air tuyere L in such a manner that it is delivered in thin streams on each side
of the centre thin streams of heated air and burns inside the converting furnace.
The upper portions of the tuyere about L and M are made as will be seen so as to
be easily replaceable when the bottom is lowered and their shapes are such as to
ensuro a tight joint when pressed up into place. The construction also prevents
the gas and air easily leaking through so as to mix with one another owing to all
the loose parts being tightly squeezed together. Small ribs on the sides of the
pieces forming the tuyere prevent the passages for air and gas closing up under the
pressure. When the converting furnace is properly hot cast iron is run into it
through the channel O from the spout P which conveys the metal from the melting
furnace as before mentioned or may be from the blast furnace direct. The gas and
air are turned on but at first there is an excess of air to burn out the carbon
silicon etc. As the operation proceeds more gas is turned on until the gas is in excess.
The right proportions and actions are ascertained by experience. When the
operation is complete the metal which is in a fluid condition owing to the heat
given out by the combustion of the gas and hot air is run off through the
channel R into the receiving furnace S or it may be direct into a ladle or equivalent
receptacle.
It is evident that the details of the operation and apparatus required may be
varied much without departing from the intention and object of the invention and
improvements. Thus both gas and air may be heated or on the other hand if there

page_text: be sufficiently rich gas it is sufficient to heat the gas or air alone. Double regene-
rators may be used one being heated whilst the other is heating the air or gas.
Valves may be inserted at the proper places to control the currents of gas and air and
change their courses and the tuyeres might be placed at the side of the converting
furnace provided always that the gas and air come together or as much so as
possible and pass under and through the metal to be treated. I have shown a
cooling tank T round the converting furnace and it is evident that the water used
to keep the furnace cool may be applied wherever necessary and other improvements
may present themselves to to the practical man.
Having now described and particularized my said invention in such manner that
others will be enabled to carry my improvements into effect I claim :-
First. Subjecting molten cast iron to the action of currents of heated carbonio
oxide gas and air by forcing such gases through amongst the mass in thin streams
side by side when the carbonic oxide is in excess.
.
Second. Apparatus consisting of three chambers or receptacles constructed
arranged and combined substantially in the manner and for the purpose set forth.
In Witness Whereof I the said William Seddon Sutherland have hereunto set
my hand and seal this twelfth day of February in the year of Our Lord,
one thousand eight hundred and eighty three.
Signed sealed & delivered in
the presence of
HERBERT BEWLAY
The Lindens
Moseley
N* Birmingham
WILLIAM SEDDON SUTHERLAND (L.S.)