IMPROVEMENTS IN RETORTS AND APPARATUS CONNECTED THEREWITH FOR THE PURPOSE OF DISTILLATION AND CALCINATION OF MINERALS, PARTS OF WHICH ARE APPLICABLE TO OTHER PURPOSES
Year: 1874

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Charles McBeath, of South Cobbinshaw, in the
County of Edinburgh, North Britain, Carpenter, for the Invention
of "IMPROVEMENTS IN RETORTS AND APPARATUS CONNECTED THEREWITH FOR
THE PURPOSE OF DISTILLATION AND CALCINATION OF MINERALS, PARTS OF
WHICH ARE APPLICABLE TO OTHER PURPOSES."
Scaled the 5th May 1874, and dated the 18th February 1874.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Charles McBeath at
the Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on
the 18th February 1874.
I, CHARLES MCBEATH, of South Cobbinshaw, in the County of
Edinburgh, North Britain, Carpenter, do hereby declare the nature of
the said Invention for "IMPROVEMENTS IN RETORTS AND APPARATUS CONNECTED
THEREWITH FOR THE PURPOSE OF DISTILLATION AND CALCINATION OF MINERALS,
PARTS OF WHICH ARE APPLICABLE TO OTHER PURPOSES," to be as follows :—
The main object and advantages of this said Invention or improve-
ments are the distillation of shale, coal, or other bituminous substances

page_text: for the production of oils and illuminating gas, or coal coke illuminating
gas, ammonia, and tar therefrom, also the calcinating of various kinds of
ironstone and of limestone, and in obtaining the useful gases and other
products therefrom, namely, crude paraffin oil, tar, carbonic acid, and
sulphuric acid from the former, and chlorine and carburetted hydrogen
from the latter, all in a more simple and economical manner than here-
tofore with much saving in time and labour.
The first part of this said Invention has reference to certain improve-
ments upon the Invention for which Royal Letters Patent were granted
to the Petitioner, dated 29th October 1866, and numbered 2788, and
especially to improvements in the construction and arrangement of the
parts of the retorts described to the Final Specification of the said
Patent, and in the distilling and condensing apparatus connected there-
with.
The second part of this Invention has reference to the construction
and arrangement of the parts of the new or improved gas exhausting and
forcing apparatus or mechanism applied to the said new or improved
distilling apparatus for drawing off the gases therefrom forming the first
part or improvement of this Invention, but also applicable to nearly all
other ordinary constructions of such like distilling and calcining retorts
and apparatus for the same purpose and many other purposes, as an air
or gas blower for other fires and furnaces, or for ventilating, refrigerating
or freezing, and many other useful purposes for which other forms of air,
gas, or vapour exhausting and forcing pumps or blowers are employed at
various pressures either below or above the atmosphere.
The nature of the first part or improvement of this Invention consists
all as follows:-First, as regards the construction of the retort it is made
of iron or fire-brick of a hollow conical shape, widest and graduated into
a square or rectangular shape at the lower open end, so as to give greater
area for combustion at this part over the hearth, this retort being built
or supported in its outer brickwork some inches above a new or improved
construction and arrangement of hollow tubular grate bars, laid very
close together with annular rows of short angular projections on them,
which when turned (by a crank handle or by their ends, and a crank
handle at the back or front of the ashpit below the furnace doors either
individually or the whole at once by having them all geared together),
loosen the burning material, prevent the formation or adhesion of

page_text: clinkers thereto, and allow the small burned ash to fall down through
between the bars and these loosening projections. These retorts are
preferably built in a vertical row with annular or spiral heating flues
rising up from the said grate, all round to the top outlet flue from cach
flue and retort controlled by a damper and leading to a chimney for each
or into a common main flue leading to one large chimney for the whole
set or row of retorts. These revolving bars might be made parallel or
conical for their surfaces to revolve at the same or different speeds, and
when made hollow might have the cold air forced in through them for
supplying the furnace, and the hearth below might be made open or
close with a regulating air admitting door or valve.
A further improvement consists in placing the feeding funnel in the
centre of the retort with a feeding cylindrical chamber led down some
distance into the retort below the top of the mineral being distilled or
calcined, and below the branch pipe at the top for drawing off the gases
as evolved, and leading to the new or improved exhauster or pump
which will be herein-after described. For the calcining of lime, iron-
stone, and the making of coal coke these revolving bars would not be
used, but nearly close furnace bars or hearths would be employed
instead.
The nature of the second part or improvement of this said Invention
consists of a species of gascous fluid drawing, exhausting, and forcing
pump, or current propelling or rarifying or condensing apparatus. The
main hollow chamber or vessel for the suction and discharge of the fluids
is made of two semi-elliptical or conically shaped castings, bolted
together by the flanges near the centre, with a thin clastic flexible
diaphragm of strong, close, woven textile, india-rubber, or oil cloth, or
other equivalent material secured between the flanges, with the centre
secured between two large disc heads or washers at the end of a
reciprocating rod, working in and out through a stuffing box in the
centre of one end of the vessel, so as to be reciprocated to nearly the
width or length of the round chamber by the direct action of a steam
engine outside, or through revolving cranks or reciprocating levers and
their connecting rods or equivalents actuated by a steam engine or other
equivalent motive-power gearing. This reciprocating diaphragm (which
takes the place of a solid piston in other air pumps, but without their
rubbing action or friction) thus divides the central vessel into two

page_text: drawing and forcing chambers, having an inlet and discharge branch and
valve to each, leading to and from a single main inlet or suction pipe,
and a discharge pipe at opposite sides of the apparatus, or it might be a
single suction vessel and discharge vessel respectively, the gas drawing-
off pipe from the top of the retort leading directly into the former, and
the latter having a discharge pipe leading to the condenser or condensing
apparatus employed. The suction pipe would be connected to and led
from the top of the said improved retorts (or from other retorts or
vessels from which it is required to draw the gaseous fluids when applied
to the other purposes to which it is applicable as before stated), so that
the gases as they are produced in the retort are alternately drawn into
each inlet branch of the opposite ends or sides of the pump by the
diaphragm receding therefrom, and is forced out similarly on the return
or inward strokes of the diaphragm, and the action of its reciprocating
rod so as to force the gases and vapours into the condensers to produce
the oils under any pressure desired by fitting an escape valve loaded to the
corresponding weight or pressure required, with a branch pipe at the
most distant part of the condenser from the exhausting and forcing
apparatus or its ducts to let off the permanent gases which are not
condensed to any receiving chamber desired, either for illuminating
purposes or to the combustion chamber of the retort for assisting the
combustion or calcination of the materials being heated or distilled. A
small pipe may be fitted to the lowest parts of both chambers of the
exhausting and forcing apparatus, and also of those of the large con-
ducting pipes leading to and from it, so as to draw off and conduct the
liquids condensed therein before reaching the condenser proper by
gravitation direct into a trapping vessel for the purpose, without the
necessity of drawing and forcing these liquids through the said new
pump or its pipes.
Octr. 29
The condensers may be of the form and construction described in the
Specification of the said former Patent No. 2788, or other ordinary
constructions or arrangements of condensers used for the production of
crude paraffin oil from shales or coals, but without the steam jet
employed for drawing and forcing the gases, or those used for the
production and condensation of carbonic acid and sulphuric acid,
chlorine, and carburetted hydrogen, such as the use of a series of large
bottles or vessels with the forcing gas inlet tube immersed some inches
into the condensed liquid, with the drawing-off tube of each led from

page_text: the top, so as to regulate the pressure produced in each vessel by the
new or improved gas drawing and forcing apparatus applied and used in
these improvements.
SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent,
filed by the said Charles McBeath in the Great Seal Patent Office
on the 6th August 1874.
TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, I, CHARLES
MCBEATH, of South Cobbinshaw, in the County of Edinburgh, North
Britain, Carpenter, send greeting.
WHEREAS Her most Excellent Majesty Queen Victoria, by Her
Letters Patent, bearing date the Eighteenth day of February, in the
year of our Lord One thousand eight hundred and seventy-four, in the
thirty-seventh year of Her reign, did, for Herself, Her heirs and suc-
cessors, give and grant unto me, the said Charles McBeath, Her
special licence that I, the said Charles McBeath, my executors,
administrators, and assigns, or such others as I, the said Charles
McBeath, 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 Inven-
tion for "IMPROVEMENTS IN RETORTS AND APPARATUS CONNECTED THERE WITH FOR
THE PURPOSE OF DISTILLATION AND CALCINATION OF MINERALS, PARTS OF WHICH ARE
APPLICABLE TO OTHER PURPOSES," upon the condition (amongst others) that
I, the said Charles McBeath, my executors or administrators, by an
instrument in writing under my, or their, or one of their hands and
seals, 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 Charles McBeath, do hereby
declare the nature of my said Invention, and in what manner the same
is to be performed, to be particularly described and ascertained in and

page_text: by the following statement in writing, reference being had to the
accompanying Sheet of Drawings, and to the letters and figures marked
thereon, that is to say :-
-
The main object and advantages of my said Invention or improve-
ments consist generally in the distillation of shale, coal, or other
bituminous substances for the production of oils and of illuminating
gas in gasworks, and of coal, coke, ammonia, and tar therefrom, and in
the calcining of various kinds of ironstone and of limestone, and in
obtaining the useful gases and other products therefrom, namely, crude
paraffin oil, tar, carbonic acid, and sulphuric acid from the former, and
chlorine and carburetted hydrogen from the latter, by new or improved
modes and means or apparatus to be employed for these respective pur-
poses in a more simple and economical manner than heretofore, with
much saving in time and labour.
The first part of my said Invention has reference to certain improve-
ments upon the Invention for which Royal Letters Patent were granted
to me dated 29th October, 1866, and numbered 2788, and especially to
improvements in the construction and arrangement of the parts of the
retorts described in the Final Specification of the said Patent, and in the
distilling and condensing apparatus connected therewith.
And a second part of my said Invention has reference to the con-
struction and arrangement of the parts of the new or improved gas
exhausting and forcing apparatus, mechanism, or pump, applied for
drawing off the gases as they are generated from the said shale, coal, or
other substances being treated in the said new or improved distilling
apparatus forming the first part or improvements of my said Invention,
and then forcing the same through the condensers into the gas holders,
this drawing and forcing pump being also applicable to nearly all other
ordinary constructions of such like distilling and calcining retorts and
apparatus for the same purpose, and many other purposes, as an air or
gas exhauster or blower for other fires and furnaces, or for ventilating,
refrigerating, or freezing, and many other useful purposes, for which
other forms of air, gas (or other vapour or liquid exhausting and forcing
blowers or pumps are employed) at various pressures either below or
above the atmosphere.
And in order that the nature, novelty, and mode of performing my
said Invention may be properly understood I shall now proceed to

page_text: describe the several Figures on the Sheet of Drawings which I have
hereunto appended for the purpose of showing the best modes and
means I am at present aware of for putting my said Invention into
effect or practice, the same reference letters and numerals indicating the
same or like parts in all the Figures.
Figures 1 and 2 are respectively a transverse section and a sectional
plan through one of a set of retorts A, with their drawing-off
pipes B, B, B, and the new or improved exhausting or drawing and
forcing apparatus or pump 1 to 8, all constructed in accordance with
and illustrative of one modification of my said Invention or improve-
ments, as applied for the distillation of shale, coal, or other bituminous
substances for obtaining the before-mentioned products therefrom; and
Figure 3 is a sectional clevation of a couple of similar retorts to that
shown in Figures 1 and 2, but with each retort A proper formed of cast
iron instead of being formed of a fire-brick lining A within the main
brickwork A¹ itself, as in these Figures.
Figure 4 is a sectional elevation to a small scale of a close oven or
kiln A for the making of coke from coal, or the burning or calcining
of lime or ironstone, constructed in accordance with and illustrative
of my said improvements as applied thereto, and for obtaining the
before-mentioned products therefrom, all in accordance with my said
Invention.
Figures 5 and 6 are a sectional side elevation and a plan respectively
of one modification of condenser for being applied to these retorts or
kilns, Figures 1 to 5, for condensing oleaginous or other gaseous pro-
ducts, and purifying and separating the oils or other liquids, or the
illuminating and permanent gases therefrom; all in accordance with
and illustrative of my said Invention and improvements.
Figures 7 and 8 are a longitudinal and a transverse section of a
tubular condenser or refrigerator a for producing cold by means of and
suitable for the application of my said improved fluid pump 1 to 8,
shown in section and plan in Figures 1 and 2, and in longitudinal
vertical section through its inlet and discharge pipes B2, B³, and valve
chest B* taken on the line 1 ---- 1 in Figure 2, all in accordance with
and illustrative of my said improvements connected with the said fluid
drawing and forcing apparatus forming the second part of my said
Invention; and Figure 9 is a transverse section of an open cold or ice-

page_text: producing vesself with casing g all round for the forced air or other
expaned gas from the said improved pump being expanded therein to
produce the cold in it and the open vessel f.
x
The nature and mode of performing the first part or improvements of
my said Invention consist all as follows:-First, referring to Figures
1, 2, and 3, as regards the construction of each retort A, it is made
either of fire-brick, as in Figures 1 and 2, or of cast iron, as seen in
Figure 3, and of a hollow conical shape, widest and graduated into a
nearly square or rectangular shape at the lower open end A" (sce
Figure 2), so as to give greater area for combustion at this part over the
new or improved hearth C; this retort A is preferably built of fire-brick
lining, or when made of cast iron (Figure 3) it is supported in its outer
brickwork A¹ some inches above the new or improved construction and
arrangement of furnace consisting of hollow tubular grate bars C laid
very close together, with annular rows of short angular projections c on
them; so that when the bars C are turned by a crank-handle C¹ inserted
in their ends at the back or front of the ash-pit D below the furnace
hearth individually (or it might be the whole at once by having them
all geared together by pinions), they thus loosen the burning material
and prevent the formation or adhesion of clinkers thereto, and allow the
small burned ash to fall down through between the bars C and their
loosening projections c, preferably down on to a lower angled and central
ridged ash hearth D so as to fall down the two inclined plates D, D,
forming this hearth, out through the discharge doors D¹, D', one on each
side of each retort, and thus fall or be discharged into small wheeled
trucks or hutches Z running on rails Zalong the front and back of the
whole range of retorts. These retorts A. are preferably built in a vertical
row, as indicated in Figures 2 and 3, where two only of the set are
shown preferably with a narrow annular heating flue a rising up from
the said grate C all round to near the top when made of iron, as seen in
Figure 3, or it might be spirally as in the Specification of my said
former Patent, and which might or might not have an outlet flue from
each heating space a and retort A controlled by a damper, and leading
to a chimney for each or into a common main flue leading to one large
chimney for the whole set or row of retorts. These new revolving bars
C, c, might be made parallel or conical for their surfaces to revolve at the
same or at different surface speeds in relation to cach other; and when
made hollow might have the cold air forced in through them for sup-

page_text: plying the furnace or burning mass above the bars C and the hearth
D, D*, below might be made open or close with a regulating air
admitting door or valve.
A further improvement consists in placing the feeding funnel A²,
preferably of cast iron, in the centre of the top A¹ of each retort A
with an inner feeding cylindrical chamber or duct A³ led down some
distance into the top hood A¹ of the retort A, and preferably below the
top of the mineral z being distilled or calcined, and below the branch
pipe B at the top A" for drawing off the gases as they are evolved from
the burning mass at the lower part A" of each retort A immediately
above the grate C. The filling funnel or hopper A² is fitted at its throat
with a charging lid A' and counterbalancing lever A, actuated by a
chain or by hand at intervals to feed in a charge of the shale, coal, or
other mineral being distilled or treated. Each drawing off branch B
leads by the angled pipes B¹ down into the main receiver or pipe B"
common to the whole set of retorts where the heavier oils are condensed
and collected with ammonia and condensed water, which are drawn off
at their desired levels by the taps B, while the uncondensed gases are
led by the main pipe B² direct to the new or improved exhauster or
pump 1 to 8, which will be herein-after described.
For the making of coal coke and the calcining of lime and ironstone
the revolving bars C would not be used, but a nearly close furnace or
hearth C would be employed instead, as shown in Figure 4, which
consists of a large close brick chamber A* erected over a plain hearth C*
with an arched top a* fitted with a feeding hopper A² and charging lid
and handle A, A, and a branch pipe B for drawing off all the gases
evolved from the coal, lime, or ironstone, as the case may be, which is
filled in on the hearth C* until the whole chamber is nearly full, when
the door A* is closed and the coal ignited in the centre through the
small hole a from a fire kindled on the small angled grate a¹ in an ash-
pit a below, and when all the gases or hydrocarbons have been drawn
off by the pipe B and the coke allowed to cool it is withdrawn by the
side door B on the hearth C*; this door is then built up again when
the kiln is ready for recharging, all as described. But for the calcining of
ironstone and lime sufficient coal may be first placed on the hearth C* or
mixed with these for kindling and calcination, all otherwise as described
in reference to the making of the coke.

page_text: Oct. 29,
In some cases the gases may be led or drawn off from the pipes B at
the top of the retorts A or kilns A* into condensers H with air cooling
cross tubes H³, analogous to the method shown and described in the
Drawings, Figures 5 and 6, and Specification of my said former Patented
Invention, No. 2788, 1800 and as shown in red lines in Figure 1 of the
Sheet of Drawings hereunto appended, and when these condensers are so
employed they would all be connected by the common. main pipe B" from
which the uncondensed gases from the whole set of retorts and con-
densers would be drawn off by the pipe B2 and the improved pump 1
to 8 in the same manner as from the pipes B, B¹, B¹¹, and B², shown in
black lines in Figures 1, 2, 3, and 4.
The nature and construction of the second part or improvements of
my said Invention consist of a species of gas or fluid drawing or
exhausting and forcing pump 1 to 8, or current propelling, forcing, or
condensing apparatus, the main cylinder or hollow chamber or vessel
1, 1, for the suction and discharge of the fluids is made of two semi-
elliptical or conically-shaped castings 1', 1', bolted together by the
flanges 1 near the centre, with a thin elastic flexible diaphragm 2 of
strong close woven textile, india-rubber, oil cloth, or other equivalent
material secured between these flanges, with its centre fixed between
two large rounded disc heads or washers 21 at the centre of a recipro-
cating rod 3, working in and out through stuffing boxes 3' in the centre
of the said ends 11 of the vessel 1, 1, so as to be reciprocated to nearly
the width or length of the hollow round elliptical chamber 1, 1, by a
revolving crank shaft 4 and its connecting rod 4' (or it might be other
cquivalents, such as the direct action of the piston rod of a steam engine
outside, or through other reciprocating levers and rods) actuated by a
steam engine or other equivalent motive power gearing. This recipro-
cating diaphragm 2 (which takes the place of a solid piston in other
fluid pumps, but without their rubbing action or friction) thus divides
the central vessel into two drawing and forcing chambers 1, 1, having
an inlet branch 5 and a discharge branch 5¹, and valves 6, 6¹, and valve
chambers 7, 7, all respectively to each at the one side leading from and
to a single suction chamber 8, and discharge chamber 8', respectively of
the main inlet or suction pipe B2 and a discharge pipe B³, or these valves
and chambers might be at the opposite side of the apparatus. The gas
from the drawing-off pipes B at the top of the retort is led directly into
the former 8, 7, 6, 5, and that from the latter 51, 61, 71, 81, to the dis-

page_text: charge pipe B³ leading to the condenser or condensing apparatus.
Figures 5 and 6 to be employed all as indicated by the arrows in the
several Figures.
The new or improved pump (1 to 8') draws the uncondensed gases, or
it may be these and the condensed products of combustion which have
passed over from the improved retorts A or kilns A*, Figures 1 to 4,
through the pipe B1, B2, either direct from the pipes B, B¹, or through
the before mentioned condenser H, H2, shown in red lines in Figure 1.
These gaseous or other products as they are produced and passed into the
pipes B1, B2, are alternately drawn through the inlet branch and valves
8, 6, 5, off and into the opposite end or side compartments 1, 1, of this
pump 1 to 8, by the reciprocation of the diaphragm 2 as it recedes from
these ends 1', and are then forced out (in a similar manner) on cach
return or in-stroke of the diaphragm towards the ends through the
discharge valves 6' and pipe B³, into the condenser or gas holder to be
used under any desired pressure regulated by a loaded valve fitted on
some one of the discharge pipes B³ to E" of the condenser, Figures
5 and 6, or of the gas holders, preferably at the most distant part F1,
when applied to the former, and when applied to the latter the gas
holder itself might be loaded to the desired pressure. A small pipe may
be fitted to the lowest part I* of both chambers of the exhausting and
forcing apparatus, and also of those of the large conducting pipes
B1, B2, and B³, leading to and from it, so as to draw off and conduct the
liquids condensed therein before reaching the condenser proper by
gravitation direct into a trapping vessel for the purpose, without the
necessity of drawing and forcing these liquids through the said new
pump 1 to 8, or these pipes, although it is preferred to draw off the
ammoniacal liquid by cocks or other equivalent at B₁ of the pipe B" or
hydraulic main, the other liquids being preferably forced along with the
gases by the pump through the condenser.
The condenser into which these vapours are thus forced as stated by
the improved pump, numbers 1 to 8, from the pipe B³, may be of any
of the constructions described in reference to the Figures on the two
explanatory Sheets of Drawings of my said Specification, No. 2788,
Oct. 29.
1800 >
and indicated by the reference letters H, H, I, J, and H, H³, but
without the steam or blast jet employed therein, or of the ordinary con-
structions used for the production of crude paraffin oil from shales, coals,
or other bituminous substances, or those used for the production and .

page_text: condensation of carbonic acid and sulphuric acid, chlorine, and car-
buretted hydrogen, such as the use of a series of large bottles or vessels
with the forcing or inlet gas tube immersed some inches into the con-
densed liquid in each vessel, and with the drawing-off tube attached and
led from the top of each into the liquid of the next to a depth sufficient
if desired to give and regulate the pressure under which the condensation
of the fluid takes place, forced through these vessels by the new or
improved drawing and forcing apparatus 1 to 8 of my said Invention.
Referring to the improved construction and arrangement of the parts
of the condenser shown in Figures 5 and 6, the gases drawn from the
retorts A or kiln A* are forced by the improved pump 1 to 8, or it might
be other fluid forcing apparatus, through the inlet pipe B³ into the long
pipe B, from which it is led down through the range of branches E and
vertical condensing pipes E', and through the cover of the first close
condensing vessel F, some inches into the condensed liquid products L
therein, for the purpose of condensing and absorbing as much as possible
of the gases passed through this liquid of a heavier specific gravity under
any desired pressure. The gases not condensed in this first condensing
chamber Fare passed off and up through a second set of condensing
pipes E and over the arched branches or knees E² down through the
first set of condensing pipes E' of a second condensing chamber F¹,
through the liquid, where another portion of the gases would be con-
densed (all in like manner to that described in reference to the first
condensing chamber F), and then up through a second set of condensing
pipes E", over and down into a third condensing chamber F³, and so on
in like manner into a fourth and a fifth condensing chamber F³ and F,
or it might be less or more, according as desired, all as indicated by the
arrows in these Figures 5 and 6.
The lower part of the condensing chambers F to F are all connected
by one or more branch pipes G, so that the liquid condensed in each is
maintained at a uniform level, and flows to the last F4, from which it
is drawn off by the reverse discharge syphon or trap pipe G³ fitted
thereto. The uncondensed or permanent gases escape from the last con-
densing chamber F by its set of exhaust condensing pipes E", leading
to a common exhaust pipe E", connecting the whole of these E" at the
top, from which these gases are blown off to the atmosphere through the
duct and loaded valve E³, regulating the pressure within the condensing
pipes and condenser under which the condensation takes place; or other-

page_text: wise these uncondensed or permanent gases may be led off from this
valve F³ into any gas holder or receiving chamber, and when suitable for
illumination or heating might be so utilized for lighting purposes led
through pipes in the ordinary manner, or through these to the combustion
chamber of the retorts or kilns above the revolving bars C or hearth C*,
to be used as desired for assisting the combustion or calcination of the
materials being treated or distilled in these said improved retorts or
kilns A and A*.
Referring to Figures 7 and 8 this refrigerating vessel is composed of a
central long close rectangular chamber a filled with tubes a¹ fitted into
the tube plates a" forming the close ends of this central chamber, and
the inner sides of the two end chambers b, b', formed by the close outer
ends 6" for the fluid to be cooled to enter by the branch c and pass
or circulate through the chamber and interior of the tubes a¹ to the
other end chamber 61 and out through the branch c¹, and which after
losing its heat (as in circulating through an ice-making vessel or
machine) might return through the first branch c again, the current
being kept up and controlled by the tap or cock c², or by any desired
current producing or drawing or forcing apparatus. The air or other
fluid used for the refrigerating or producing the cold in the vessel a is
forced by the new or improved pump, numbers 1 to 8, in by the pipe b³
through the controlling inlet expansion valve chest d and branch d¹ into
the centre of the cooling chamber a and surrounding the interior surface
of all the tubes a¹, through which the brine or fluid is passed to be
cooled as desired. The pipe 63, corresponding as it were to the con-
tinuation of or a branch from the discharge pipe B³ of the pump 1 to 8,
or it might be from a vessel into which it is forced under any desired
pressure from the said pump and pipe B³. The expanded and cooling
air (or other fluid employed and so let into the chamber a) after
absorbing its proportion of heat from the said tubes a' and liquid passing
through them is let off by the branch d", preferably at the opposite side
of the vessel, and set of tubes a, a, either to the atmosphere, or led back
to the forcing apparatus, Figures 1 to 8, by the pipe B2 when it is
desired to use the semi-cool fluid over and over again.
Referring to Figure 9, f is an open vessel in which the water for
producing ice (or it might be other liquid to be cooled) is placed, the
vesself being fitted fluid-pressure tight by flanges and bolts or other
equivalent means at f¹, to and within an outer vessel g so as to leave a

page_text: close jacket casing g¹ all round it, into which the air or other clastic
cooling fluid is expanded through the pipe 63 and its regulating tap and
entering branch d, d, from the pipe B³ of the forcing apparatus,
numbers 1 to 8, or a close pressure regulated vessel in connection there-
with, as described in reference to Figures 7 and 8, so that as the air
expands into the casing g¹ it cools the water in the vesself by absorbing
the heat through it, the expanded and heated air then passing out
through small holes a", or it might be an equivalent regulated valve,
opening either out to the atmosphere or conducted back to the inlet
pipes B² of the forcing apparatus, where the same fluid is desired to be
used continuously.
Referring to the new or improved construction and arrangement of
the parts of the fluid drawing and forcing apparatus or pump, Numbers 1
to 8, it will be understood that this pump, although only shown and
described in reference to Figures 1, 1 A, and 2, as applied to the drawing
and forcing of the gaseous and liquid products from the treatment or
distillation of coal, shale, or bituminous substances, and ironstone and
lime, in accordance with my said improvements, is also equally appli-
cable for the forcing and drawing of air, water, or other fluids for other
purposes for which ordinary pumps and blowing apparatus are at present
employed; and that although a double chamber pump has been shown,
it will be understood that it is also capable of being employed as a single
chambered pump by attaching the reciprocating diaphragm by a ring
and bolts to the edge flanges of a single saucer-shaped vessel fitted to the
top of a set of lifting or drawing pipes, and by reciprocating the disc by
a rod and lever, or it might be an ordinary hand lever outside. This
arrangement would make a simple form of single lifting and forcing or
double acting motive power or hand pump, the forcing pipes being con-
nected with a check valve close to the under side of the saucer-shaped
vessel.
Having now described and particularly ascertained the nature of my
said Invention, and the manner in which the same is or may be used or
carried into effect, I wish it to be understood that I do not confine or
restrict myself to the precise details or arrangements which I have had
occasion to describe and delineate, as many variations may be made
therefrom without departing from the main or essential features thereof;
neither on the other hand do I claim all the details of mechanical con-
struction separately which I have had occasion to describe and refer to

page_text: (as many of these have heretofore been used), except in combination
with and forming part of the essential features and for the objects or
purposes of my said Invention; but what I consider to be novel and
original, and therefore claim as the Invention secured to me by the
herein-before in part recited Letters Patent is,-
First. The construction and arrangement of the parts of retorts A, or
of ovens or kilns A*, and the fluid exhausting and forcing pump and
condensing apparatus for the distilling and calcining of shale, coal,
or bituminous substances, and of ironstone and lime, for the better
obtaining, condensing, and utilizing of the products therefrom, all sub-
stantially as herein described and distinguished in reference to and
shown in Figures 1 to 6 of the accompanying Drawings.
Second. The construction and arrangement of the parts of the
retorts A and their hearth, with revolving bars for the treating and
distillation of coal, shale, or bituminous substances, all substantially as
described and distinguished in reference to and shown in Figures 1, 2,
and 3 of the accompanying Drawings.
Third. The construction and arrangement of the parts of a close oven
or kiln for the treatment, distillation, and calcining of coal, ironstone,
and lime for the better utilization of the products therefrom, all sub-
stantially as described in reference to Figure 4 of the accompanying
Drawings.
Fourth. The construction and arrangement of the parts of a fluid
drawing and forcing apparatus or pump, all substantially as described in
reference to numbers 1 to 8, and shown in Figures 1, 1A, and 2 of the
accompanying Drawings, for the drawing and forcing of the gaseous and
liquid products in the distillation of coal, shale, or bituminous sub-
stances, and of ironstone and lime; or it may be for the drawing and
forcing of other fluids, as force pumps or blowers, or for rarefying, con-
densing, or refrigerating purposes generally.
Fifth. The construction and arrangement of the parts of condensers
for the better obtaining, condensing, and utilizing the gascous and liquid
products under pressure from shale, coal, or bituminous substances, and
of ironstone and lime, all substantially as described in reference to
Figures 5 and 6 of the accompanying Drawings.
Sixth. The construction and arrangement of the parts of cold pro-
ducing or refrigerating vessels, as described and shown in reference to

page_text: Figures 7, 8, and 9, through the forcing and expanding of elastic fluids
therein, from and by the said new or improved fluid drawing and forcing
apparatus, numbers 1 to 8, Figures 1, 1A, and 2.
In witness whereof, I, the said Charles McBeath, have hereunto
set my hand and seal, this Fifth day of August, in the year of 5
our Lord One thousand eight hundred and seventy-four.
CHARLES MCBEATH. (L.S.)