Solid Matters, and in Apparatus Connected therewith.
Year: 1885

page_text: Solid Matters, and in Apparatus Connected therewith.
I, ALEXANDER MELVILLE CLARK, of the firm of A. M. and Wm. Clark, of
53, Chancery Lane, in the County of Middlesex, Fellow of the Institute of Patent
Agents, do hereby declare the nature of the said Invention for IMPROVEMENTS
IN RETORTS FOR THE DISTILLATION OF COAL AND OTHER SOLID MATTERS AND IN
APPARATUS CONNECTED THEREWITH a communication to me from abroad by André
Coze, Director of the Gas Company of Rheims (Marne) France to be as follows:-
:-
This Invention relates to improved means for automatically charging and
discharging retorts used for distilling coal and other solid matters.
Hitherto the charging of retorts with coal has been done with a scoop or with
the aid of apparatus constructed for the purpose, the drawing or discharge being
also performed in a similar manner.
The object of the present Invention is to effect the charging and discharging
of retorts by utilizing for the purpose the phenomenon known as the angle of
repose. To this end the retort is placed at such an inclination that the natural fall
of the coal supplied at its highest end shall be sufficient to cause its distribution in
a uniform layer throughout the whole length of the retort and parallel with the
bottom thereof.
The retort is in this manner automatically charged and owing to its inclination,
the coke, if slightly loosened from its sides, will slide downwards without difficulty
and thus also effect the automatic discharge of said retort.
The invention also comprises a special construction of trucks discharging their
contents direct into a shoot in communication with each retort so as to permit if
desired of having a number of vertical charging orifices of the retorts in a single
row in the same longitudinal plane contiguous to the trucks notwithstanding the
differences of level of the retorts.
Reference is to be had to the accompanying drawings forming part of this
Specification it being understood that the Invention is not limited to the exact.

page_text: arrangements shown as they may be varied to suit different kinds of furnaces, the
number of retorts &°.
Figure 1 is a vertical section of a bench of seven retorts and figure 2 a sectional
plan of the same Figure 3 is a transverse vertical section taken through the
charging shoots. The same letters of reference represent the same parts in the
three figures. The invention consists essentially as above stated in placing
the retorts a at an inclination approximating to that of the angle of repose of
the matters with which they are to be charged or in other words an inclination
almost verging on the limit at which the matters to be distilled would commence
to slide. This inclination is represented in the example shown as 29°, but it is
evident that this angle may be varied to suit the nature and smoothness of the
interior of the retort, the size of the lumps of coal &°. The rear end of each retort
is provided with a charging mouth 6, which is carried up vertically outside the
furnace and closed by a cover c. Each shoot is connected to its retort by a bend,
so as to form a prolongation thereof and the impact produced by the fall of the
material around the bend aided by the inclination given to the retort, produces a
suitable distribution of the matters in a layer of uniform thickness, that is to say
the plane of its surface is about parallel with the floor of the retort which is the
most favourable condition for distillation, as it leaves sufficient space in the retort
to allow of the gases freely disengaging and enables the distillation to be carried on
under the ordinary conditions as when the retorts are charged horizontally; the
charging of each retort is in this manner instantly effected.
d is a sight hole or prolongation of the retort closed by a double cover, to enable
the bend of the retort to be cleared in the event of obstruction. The charging
shoots are enclosed in a sand bath in order to maintain them at a suitable
temperature and prevent any condensation therein. The arrest of the coal at the
lower end of the retort may be effected either by means of a removable stop plate e¹
fitting in grooves e and supported by a leg e¹¹ or as hereinafter described.
The ascension pipes f and hydraulic main g are in this example of the ordinary
kind, but they may be otherwise arranged as hereinafter described.
A single line of rails, laid above the level of the retort setting, as shown in the
drawing, suffices for the supply of two oppositely arranged benches of retorts, the
contents of the truck h being discharged into each shoot by tilting it.
The above arrangements may however be varied as for example, the charging
orifices may be all in the same horizontal plane, and the bends in the retorts be
dispensed with, by simply prolonging the retorts until they reach the charging
level which may be either inside or outside the furnace setting, the retorts being
either of the same or different lengths. As the degree of inclination given to the
retorts is nearly equal to that which would cause the material it contains to slide
it will be understood that it is simply necessary to impart the slightest possible
movement to the lumps at the front end of the retort in order to ensure the
automatic discharge of the coke into a wheel barrow i
The invention being entirely independent of the oven may be applied to all
kinds of coke ovens and forms of retorts, by merely modifying the details to suit
each particular case.
The following relates to further arrangements which may be employed according
to circumstances, including a combined charging truck and hopper, for ensuring the
charging of the retort parallel with its floor, which is a special feature of the
Invention. These arrangements comprise (1) Various forms of retort charging
mouths (2) Various kinds of trucks for charging the retorts (3) catches for
these trucks (4) Various forms of lids for the charging mouths as well for the
discharging ends of the retorts which lids however form no part of the Invention
(5) Various methods of automatically discharging the retorts.
Figure 4 shows the charging mouths arranged to permit of the escape of the gas
produced into an hydraulic main a, common to both benches of retorts. In this
case the gas enters the hydraulic main through the charging spouts instead of
through the roof of the retort as in ordinary. In this manner a more rationa!

page_text: action is obtained and the space which is usually occupied by the ascension pipes
in front of the retort is economized, while the same bydraulic main serves for both
benches.
Figure five shows a hopper fixed above the charging mouth, a space being left
between them to allow of a lid being applied.
Figure 6 shows the charging mouth carried up to a level with the truck a, said
mouth being provided with a hinged cover e which is clamped by a screw and lever
catch and suitably luted.
Figure 7 shows a cover fitting in a groove filled with sand.
Figure 8 shows a cover clamped by means of a screw stirrup piece hinged to the
mouth of the retort.
Figure 9 shows the retort mouths arranged in rows one above the other.
Figure 10 shows a funnel shaped mouth inclined to an angle to meet the truck
when tilted as shown in figure fifteen.
Figure 11 shows another form of charging mouth.
Figure 12 shows a hopper movable in front of the charging mouths of the
retorts.
Figure 13 shows a charging mouth fixed upon a curved ended retort, the retorts
varying in length according to their position. Figure 14 shows a series of fixed
hoppers for enabling one or more retorts to be charged at one time. The hoppers
are each closed at bottom by a slide a by opening which the coal is allowed to fall
into the charging mouths b. A space is left between the hoppers and the charging
mouths. Figure 15 shows a single acting truck for discharging into a hopper
mouth of the kind shown in figure 10. Figure 16 shows a double acting truck
with adjustable shoot for charging retorts placed at different levels, more especially
adapted for charging mouths of the kind shown in figure 6.
The truck is provided with guides which maintain the shoot constantly vertical
with regard to the axis of the charging mouth, the tilting being effected by a
lever a pivoted on the bottom of the truck.
Figure 17 shows a double acting truck with quadrant a and catch. The
adjustment of the shoot b to one or other of the charging mouths is effected by
a sliding rod c forked at each end to embrace the said mouths and operated by a
counterbalanced lever d.
Figure 18 shows a single acting truck with vertical guide a similar to that
shown in figure 16. The truck is secured in position in front of the charging
mouth by a latch dropping into a notch in the rail.
Figure 19 shows another single acting truck with vertical guide as shown in
figure 18, but in which the truck body 6 is supported on a base c mounted to
oscillate on a fixed pivot. The truck body being independent of its support may
be slid along it so as to enable its mouth to be brought in a line with the vertical
axis of the charging mouth of the retort.
Figure 20 shows a single acting truck provided with a stop catch a placed
between the rails and supporting a curved pivoted hopper b, operated by a lever c.
which is held in one or other position by a spring rack.
Figure 21 shows a hopper truck, the bottom a of which is mounted on a pivot,
operated by a lever. An aperture is provided in the bottom a for the discharge of
the coal contained into the shoot beneath. This truck is also provided with a stop
catch fixed on the rail.
purpose of enabling
The truck is also
Figure 22 shows two single hoppers coupled together for the
two retorts placed side by side to be charged at one time.
provided with a stop catch a placed midway between the rails.
Figure 23 shows a hopper with a false bottom for charging two retorts placed
one behind the other at one time, the bottom a of the upper part of the hopper is
hinged so as to admit of charging the bottom half. The truck is also provided
with a catch a as before.
Figures 24, 25 and 26 represent an arrangement for effecting the automatic
discharge of retorts placed at different stages, by means of a T headed rod a jointed

page_text: to a lever b suspended from a point c; the action of this tool will be readily under-
stood from the drawing, which represents the two extreme positions of the tool, for
the purpose of detaching the coke from all parts of the floor of the retort..
Figure 27 represents an elevation and plan of the arrangement of the tool for
effecting the automatic discharge of several retorts simultaneously, the rods a being
in this case jointed to each other and also to the oscillating lever b.
Figure 28 represents a mechanical discharger based on the same principle,
consisting of a metallic band a, passing round guide rollers b in the curved form
shown, whereby to permit, on the one hand, of introducing the tool into each retort
and on the other hand, of enabling it to be guided in a vertical direction and thus
enonomize the space which would be required were the band extended horizontally.
The forward movement is produced by toothed gearing c operated by hand or
other power, the band a being fed forward by the rollers d on the gear wheel
shafts, between which it is gripped, the pressure being maintained constant by
means of counterweighted levers. The back ward movement of the band is obtained
either by reversing the motion of the gearing, or by raising the counterweighted
pressing roller & which renders the band black; or by means of a weight on
pulley e, or a spring for raising the band.
The mechanism is mounted on a carriage e travelling on rails and carrying a
rack at front and rear, which by means of two pinions operated by a hand wheel,
enable the band to be raised or lowered to suit the height of the retorts to be
discharged.
Figure 29 represents a section of the front end of a retort bench in which the
hydraulic main is set back beyond the front line of the retort setting for the
purpose of economizing space. The upper retort is provided with an ordinary lid a
to which is attached the retaining plate b. The middle retort is shown as provided
with a cast iron retaining plate b, hooked to lugs cast on the head of the retort;
the mid rib is provided with an opening to admit of its removal. The lower retort
is provided with a retaining plate b of sheet iron of U form with handles at either
side, which is fixed in position by jamming against the sides of the retort mouth.
Dated this 20th day of June 1885

page_text: Improvements in Retorts for the Distillation of Coal and other
Solid Matters, and in Apparatus Connected therewith.
I, ALEXANDER MELVILLE CLARK, of the firm of A. M. and Wm. Clark, of
53, Chancery Lane, in the County of Middlesex, Fellow of the Institute of Patent
Agents, do hereby declare the nature of this invention (a communication to me
from abroad by André Coze Director of the Gas Company of Rheims (Marne)
France, 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 improved means for automatically charging and
Hitherto the
discharging retorts used for distilling coal and other solid matters.
charging of retorts with coal has been done with a scoop or with the aid of
apparatus constructed for the purpose, the drawing or discharge being also
performed in a similar manner.
The object of the present invention is to effect the charging and discharging of
retorts by utilizing for the purpose the phenomenon known as the angle of repose.
To this end the retort is placed at such an inclination that the natural fall of the
coal supplied at its highest end shall be sufficient to cause its distribution in a
uniform layer throughout the whole length of the retort and parallel with the
bottom thereof..
The retort is in this manner automatically charged and owing to its inclination,
the coke, if slightly loosened from its sides, will slide downwards without difficulty
and thus also effect the automatic discharge of said retort.
The invention also comprises a special construction of trucks discharging their
contents direct into a shoot in communication with each retort so as to permit if
desired of having a number of vertical charging orifices of the retorts in a single
row in the same horizontal plane contiguous to the trucks notwithstanding the
differences of level of the retorts.
Reference is to be had to the accompanying drawings forming part of this
Specification it being understood that the Invention is not limited to the exact
arrangements shown as they may be varied to suit different kinds of furnaces, the
number of retorts &°.
Figure 1 is a vertical section of a bench of seven retorts and figure 2 a sectional
plan of the same Figure 3 is a transverse vertical section taken through the
charging shoots. The same letters of reference represent the same parts in
the three figures. The invention consists essentially as above stated in placing
the retorts a at an inclination approximating to that of the angle of repose of the
matters with which they are to be charged or in other words an inclination almost,
verging on the limit at which the matters to be distilled would commence to slide.
This inclination is represented in the example shown as 29°, but it is evident that
this angle may be varied to suit the nature and smoothness of the interior of the
retort, the size of the lumps of coal &c. The rear end of each retort is provided
with a charging mouth b, which is carried up vertically outside the furnace and
closed by a cover c. Each shoot is connected to its retort by a bend, so as to form
a prolongation thereof and the impact produced by the fall of the material around

page_text: the bend aided by the inclination given to the retort, produces a suitable distri-
bution of the matters in a layer of uniform thickness, that is to say the plane of
its surface is about parallel with the floor of the retort which is the most favourable
condition for distillation, as it leaves sufficient space in the retort to allow of the
gases freely disengaging and enables the distillation to be carried on under the
ordinary conditions as when the retorts are charged horizontally; the charging of
each retort is in this manner instantly effected.
d is a sight hole or prolongation of the retort closed by a double cover to enable
the bend of the retort to be cleared in the event of obstruction. The charging
shoots are enclosed in a sand bath in order to maintain them at a suitable tempera-
ture and prevent any condensation therein. The arrest of the coal at the lower
end of the retort may be effected either by means of a removable stop plate e¹
fitting in grooves e and supported by a leg el or as hereinafter described.
.
The ascension pipes f and hydraulic main g are in this example of the ordinary
kind, but they may be otherwise arranged as hereinafter described.
A single line of rails, laid above the level of the retort setting, as shown in the
drawing, suffices for the supply of two oppositely arranged benches of retorts, the
contents of the truck h being discharged into each shoot by tilting it.
The above arrangements may however be varied as for example, the charging
orifices may be all in the same horizontal plane, and the bends in the retorts be
dispensed with, by simply prolonging the retorts until they reach the charging level
which may be either inside or outside the furnace setting, the retorts being either
of the same or different lengths. As the degree of inclination given to the retorts
is nearly equal to that which would cause the material it contains to slide it will
be understood that it is simply necessary to impart the slightest possible movement
to the lumps at the front end of the retort in order to ensure the automatic
discharge of the coke into a wheel barrow i.
The invention being entirely independent of the oven may be applied to all kinds
of coke ovens and forms of retorts, by merely modifying the details to suit each
particular case.
The following relates to further arrangements which may be employed according
to circumstances, including a combined charging truck and hopper, for ensuring
the charging of the retort parallel with its floor, which is a special feature of the
Invention. These arrangements comprise (1) Various forms of retort charging
mouths (2) Various kinds of trucks for charging the retorts (3) catches for these
trucks (4) Various forms of lids for the charging mouths as well for the discharging
ends of the retorts, which lids however form no part of the Invention (5) Various
methods of automatically discharging the retorts.
Figure 4 shows the charging mouths arranged to permit of the escape of the gas
produced into an hydraulic main a, common to both benches of retorts. In this
case the gas enters the bydraulic main through the charging spouts 7 instead of
through the roof of the retort as in ordinary. In this manner a more rational
action is obtained and the space which is usually occupied by the ascension pipes
in front of the retort is economized, while the same bydraulic main serves for both
benches.
Figure five shows a hopper fixed above the charging mouth, a space being left
between them to allow of a lid being applied.
Figure 6 shows the charging mouth carried up to a level with the truck a, said
mouth being provided with a hinged cover e which is clamped by a screw and lever
catch and suitably luted.
Figure 7 shows a cover fitting in a groove filled with sand.
Figure 8 shows a cover clamped by means of a screw stirrup piece hinged to the
mouth of the retort.
Figure 9 shows the retort mouths arranged in rows one above the other.
Figure 10 shows a funnel shaped mouth inclined at an angle to meet the truck
when tilted as shown in figure fifteen.
.
Figure 11 shows other forms of charging mouths brought to a uniform level.
.

page_text: Figure 12 shows a hopper movable in front of the charging mouths of the
retorts.
Figure 13 shows a charging mouth fixed upon a curved ended.retort, the rotorts
varying in length according to their position. Figure 14 shows a series of fixed
hoppers for enabling one or more retorts to be charged at one time. The hoppers
are each closed at bottom by a slide a by opening which the coal is allowed to fall
into the charging mouths b. A space is left between the hoppers and the charging
mouths. Figure 15 shows a single acting truck for discharging into a hopper
mouth of the kind shown in figure 10. Figure 16 shows a double acting truck
with adjustable shoot for charging retorts placed at different levels, more especially
adapted for charging mouths of the kind shown in figure 6.
The truck provided with guides which maintain the shoot constantly vertical
with regard to the axis of the charging mouth, the tilting being effected by a
lever a pivoted beneath the bottom of the truck.
Figure 17 shows a double acting truck with quadrant a and catch. The
adjustment of the shoot b to one or other of the charging mouths is effected by a
sliding rod c forked at each end to embrace the said mouths and operated by a
counterbalanced lever d.
Figure 18 shows a single acting truck with vertical guide a similar to that shown
in figure 16. The truck is held stationary in front of the charging mouth by a
latch dropping into a notch in the rail.
Figure 19 shows another single acting truck with vertical guide as shown in
figure 18, but in which the truck body b is supported on a base c mounted to
oscillate on a fixed pivot. The truck body being independent of its support may
be slid along it so as to enable its mouth to be brought in a line with the vertical
axis of the charging mouth of the retort.
Figure 20 shows a single acting truck provided with a stop catch a placed
between the rails and supporting a curved pivoted hopper b, operated by a lever c
which is held in one or other position by a spring rack.
Figure 21 shows a hopper truck, the bottom a of which is mounted on a pivot,
operated by a lever. An aperture is provided in the bottom a for the discharge of
the coal contained into the shoot beneath. This truck is also provided with a
stop catch fixed on the rail.
Figure 22 shows two single hoppers coupled together for the purpose of enabling
two retorts placed side by side to be charged at one time. The truck is also
provided with a stop catch a placed midway between the rails.
Figure 23 shows a hopper with a false bottom for charging two retorts placed
one behind the other at one time, the bottom a of the upper part of the hopper is
hinged so as to admit of charging the bottom half. The truck is also provided
with a catch a as before.
Figures 24, 25 and 26 represent an arrangement for effecting the automatic
discharge of retorts placed at different stages, by means of a T headed rod a jointed
to a lever b suspended from a point c; the action of this tool will be readily under-
stood from the drawing, which represents the two extreme positions of the tool,
for the purpose of detaching the coke from all parts of the floor of the retort.
Figure 27 represents an elevation and plan of the arrangement of the tool for
effecting the automatic discharge of several retorts simultaneously, the rods a being
in this case jointed to each other and also to the oscillating lever b.
Figure 28 represents a mechanical discharger based on the same principle, con-
sisting of a metallic band a, passing round guide rollers b in the curved form shown,
whereby to permit, on the one hand, of introducing the tool into each retort and
on the other hand, of enabling it to be guided in a vertical direction and thus
economize the space which would be required were the band extended horizontally.
The forward movement is produced by toothed gearing c operated by hand or
other power, the band a being fed forward by the rollers d on the gear wheel
shafts, between which it is gripped, the pressure being maintained constant
by means of counterweighted levers. The backward movement of the band is

page_text: obtained either by reversing the motion of the gearing, or by raising the counter-
weighted, pressing roller d which renders the band slack; or by means of a weight
on pulley e, or a spring for raising the band.
The mechanism is mounted on a carriage e travelling on rails and carrying a
rack at front and rear, which by means of two pinions operated by a hand wheel,
enable the band to be raised or lowered to suit the height of the retorts to be
discharged.
Figure 29 represents a section of the front end of a retort bench in which the
hydraulic main is set back beyond the front line of the retort setting for the
purpose of economizing space. The upper retort is provided with an ordinary lid a
to which is attached the retaining plate b. The middle retort is shown as provided
with a cast iron retaining plate b, hooked to lugs cast on the head of the retort;
the 'mid rib is provided with an opening to admit of its removal. The lower retort
is provided with a retaining plate 6 of sheet iron of U form with handles at
either side which is fixed in position by jamming against the sides of the retort
mouth.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of the said
invention and in what manner the same is to be performed I declare that what
I. claim is
1st In a bench of retorts for the distillation of coal and other solid matters, the
combination of inclined retorts with bent charging mouths forming prolongations
thereof, as described whereby the coal & is distributed in a uniform layer upon the
floor of the retort by reason of its fall in the charging mouth and inclination of the
retort at an angle approximating to that of the angle of repose of said matters and
whereby the whole of the retorts in the same bench, or in two benches placed back
to back may be charged by means of trucks, running upon rails at the same level
as the mouths of the shoots, all as herein before described.
2nd In a bench of inclined retorts as described the prolongation of the retorts in
the direction of their axes until they all reach the same level, which may be either
inside or outside the setting, whether the retorts be of the same or different lengths,
substantially as described.
3rd The several arrangements of charging mouths, trucks and hoppers for use in
effecting the automatic charging of the retorts at a uniform level as shown and
described.
4th The apparatus. for discharging said retorts as shown and described.