IMPROVEMENTS IN THE MANUFACTURE OF POROUS BLOCKS FOR EFFECTING THE COMBUSTION OF LIQUID HYDROCARBONS AND OTHER INFLAMMABLE LIQUIDS."
Year: 1878

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to George Henry Lilley, of No. 24, Broughton Road, Stoke
Newington, in the County of Middlesex, for the Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS
IN THE MANUFACTURE OF POROUS BLOCKS FOR EFFECTING THE COMBUSTION
OF LIQUID HYDROCARBONS AND OTHER INFLAMMABLE LIQUIDS."
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said George Henry Lilley at the
Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 26th September 1878.
"
GEORGE HENRY LILLEY, of No. 24, Broughton Road, Stoke Newington, in the
County of Middlesex. IMPROVEMENTS IN THE MANUFACTURE OF POROUS BLOCKS
FOR EFFECTING THE COMBUSTION OF LIQUID HYDROCARBONS AND OTHER IN-
FLAMMABLE LIQUIDS."
My Invention relates to the manufacture of porous masses or blocks of refractory
material by preference of a spherical shape, which are saturated with hydrocarbon
oils or other inflammable liquids, so that when a light is applied thereto the liquid
will burn for a certain length of time, producing heat or light for any desired pur-
pose, the porous mass being afterwards used over and over again for the same purpose.
By preference I prepare such porous masses as follows:-About 48 parts by weight
of fire-clay are mixed with 16 parts of pipeclay, part of sand, and 12 parts of
finely-divided carbonacious or vegetable matter, such as sawdust or finely-divided
charcoal, together with sufficient water to make the mass cohere. This composition
is then formed into blocks of any desired shape, such as balls, which are subjected
to the requisite heat for burning the clay, by which means the mass solidifies and
becomes porous by reason of the vegetable matter becoming burnt out.
The blocks so formed are applied for effecting the combustion of hydrocarbon or
other inflammable liquid by soaking them therein, and then on placing them in a
fire-place or other locality where it is desired to produce heat or light the liquid is
ignited by the application of a light, and burns until it is all exhausted. The
porous blocks may then be again saturated with the liquid for further use.
Although I have mentioned certain proportions of the materials composing the
improved porous blocks, I do not limit myself thereto, as they may be varied within
certain limits.

page_text: SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed by
the said George Henry Lilley in the Great Seal Patent Office on the 25th
March 1879.
GEORGE HENRY LILLEY, of No. 24, Broughton Road, Stoke Newington, in the
County of Middlesex. "IMPROVEMENTS IN THE MANUFACTURE OF POROUS BLOCKS
FOR EFFECTING THE COMBUSTION OF LIQUID HYDROCARBONS AND OTHER IN-
FLAMMABLE LIQUIDS."
My Invention relates to the manufacture of porous masses or blocks of refractory
material, by preference of a spherical shape, which are saturated with hydrocarbon
oils or other inflammable liquids, so that when a light is applied thereto the liquid
will burn for a certain length of time, producing heat or light for any desired
purpose, the porous mass being afterwards used over and over again for the same
purpose. By preference I prepare such porous masses as follows:-About 48 parts
by weight of fire-clay are mixed with 12 parts of pipeclay, part of sand, and
13 parts of finely-divided carbonaceous or vegetable matter, such as sawdust or
finely-divided charcoal, together with sufficient water to make the mass cohere.
This composition is then formed into blocks of any desired shape, such as balls,
which are subjected to the requisite heat for burning the clay, by which means
the mass solidifies and becomes porous by reason of the vegetable matter becoming
burnt out.
The blocks so formed are applied for effecting the combustion of hydrocarbon or
other inflammable liquid by soaking them therein, and then on placing them in a
fire-place or other locality, where it is desired to produce heat or light, the liquid is
ignited by the application of a light, and burns until it is all exhausted. The
porous blocks may then be again saturated with the liquid for further use.
Although I have mentioned certain proportions of the materials composing the
improved porous blocks, I do not limit myself thereto, as they may be varied within
certain limits. Also in most cases the addition of pipeclay may be dispensed with,
the quantity of fire-clay being proportionally increased.
Having thus described the nature of the said Invention and in what manner the
same is to be performed, I claim,-
The manufacture of porous blocks for effecting the combustion of liquid hydro-
carbons and other inflammable liquids by mixing together fire-clay and finely-
divided carbonaceous matter, moulding the mixture into blocks, and burning the
blocks, substantially as herein described.
In witness whereof, I, the said George Henry Lilley, have hereunto set my
hand and seal, this Twentieth day of March, in the year of our Lord
One thousand eight hundred and seventy-nine.
GEO. H. LILLEY. (L.S.)