IMPROVEMENTS IN OBTAINING PRODUCTS FROM BLAST-FURNACE AND OTHER COMBUSTIBLE GASES, AND IN APPARATUS THEREFOR.”
Year: 1881

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to John Alexander and Andrew Kirkwood McCosh, both of
Gartsherrie Iron Works, in the County of Lanark, North Britain, for an
Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN OBTAINING PRODUCTS FROM BLAST-FURNACE
AND OTHER COMBUSTIBLE GASES, AND IN APPARATUS THEREFOR.”
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said John Alexander and
Andrew Kirkwood McCosh at the Office of the Commissioners of Patents on
the 31st August 1881.
JOHN ALEXANDER and ANDREW KIRKWOOD MCCOSH, both of Gartsherrie Iron
"IMPROVEMENTS IN OBTAINING
Works, in the County of Lanark, North Britain.
PRODUCTS FROM BLAST-FURNACE AND OTHER COMBUSTIBLE. GASES, AND
APPARATUS THEREFOR."
IN
This Invention comprises further developments of and modifications of the
processes and apparatus described in the Specifications of Letters Patent, officially
numbered 4117 of 1879 and 1433 of 1880, both granted to the present applicants.
The principal object of the Invention is to deal satisfactorily and profitably
with the large volumes of gases proceeding from blast furnaces, these gases
offering peculiar difficulties in their treatment from the character of the tarry and
other matters deposited from them; but the improved processes and apparatus
are also advantageously applicable to gases like those of what are known
as gas producers, and now coming largely into use in metallurgical and other
manufactures.
In carrying out the present Invention, the gases as received from the blast
furnaces or gas producers or other source are first led into condensing or separating
apparatus of the kind described in the Specification of Patent No. 1433 of 1880,
one of those hereinbefore referred to. One improvement consists in making the
separating or condensing apparatus principally of wrought iron instead of castiron;
and in connecting the water boxes in the interior of the apparatus, the pipes are

page_text: led from the tops of the lower boxes to the highest parts of the upper boxes
instead of the connections with the latter being lower down, the purpose being to
prevent heated water from remaining in the tops of the upper boxes and not
passing along in the general current.
From the separating or condensing apparatus the gas passes into scrubbers or
washing towers, and instead of these towers being circular in plan, with which
construction the flow of the gas was not equally distributed, each tower is by the
present Invention made rectangular in plan, and the gas enters in a broad equal
stream by an inlet extending along one side, and passes in a similar broad stream
from each space to the next one between the inclined perforated diaphragms. In
order to overcome the great difficulty experienced in cleaning the diaphragms in
the scrubbing towers, provision is made for successively disconnecting or shutting
off each of a series of towers from the gas mains or pipes and for admitting a large
volume of steam into it, such steam having a heating effect whereby the tarry
matters are rendered thinner and less adhesive, whilst the water due to the
condensation of the steam, and which is made to circulate by the pumps, washes
the matters down. This process is so effectual as to allow of the perforated
diaphragms being placed closer together, so that comparatively smaller towers can
be used for dealing with a given quantity of gas. The perforated diaphragms are
also made of metal instead of wood.
In a modified arrangement of the apparatus, the gases are led through a series
of vertical cylinders or towers connected alternately at the top and bottom, and in
the top of each of the alternate towers in which the gases descend water is injected
so as to form a shower; this water not only promoting the flow of the gases in
the desired direction, but also cooling them and causing the tarry and other
matters to be separated. The tarry matters and any soluble constituents are
carried by the water to the bottoms of the towers, and thence drawn off through
suitably trapped outlets. Space and extent of apparatus may be economised by
introducing showers of water into all the towers, a fan or fans being in that case
provided to impart the necessary movement to the gases. Instead of the towers
or casings being vertical they may be inclined or horizontal, the showers of water
descending obliquely or at right angles to the direction of flow of the gases. The
same water may be passed repeatedly through the apparatus, the heat imparted
to it by the gases being removed from it by refrigerating apparatus.
In another modification the gases are led alternately up and down a number of
tubes placed vertically in a casing-or-casings,-there-being-partitions in top and
bottom spaces in the casings to lead the gases from each section of the tubes to
the next section. Cold water is made to circulate outside of the tubes and for
cleaning the insides of the tubes, which operation will be frequently required;
small openings with plugs or covers are provided in the top of the casing opposite
the several tubes, and these are opened one by one or in sets of two or more at a
time, and a cleaning instrument is introduced to force downwards the tarry matters
deposited in the tubes. With these arrangements the tubes can be cleaned.
successively without stopping or appreciably interfering with the general action of
the apparatus.
Ammonia constitutes an important part of the products obtained from the gases,
and it is by the present Invention proposed to promote its formation and increase
its quantity by blowing a little steam into the blast furnace either at the tuyeres
or at a higher level, and for the same purpose some steam may be introduced into
gas producers along with the air.

page_text: SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed
by the said John Alexander and Andrew Kirkwood McCosh in the Great Seal
Patent Office on the 25th February 1882.
JOHN ALEXANDER and ANDREW KIRKWOOD McCoSH, both of Gartsherrie Iron
Works, in the County of Lanark, North Britain. "IMPROVEMENTS IN OBTAINING
PRODUCTS FROM BLAST-FURNACE AND OTHER COMBUSTIBLE GASES, AND IN
APPARATUS THEREFOR."
Our said Invention comprises further developments and modifications of the
processes and apparatus described in the Specifications of Letters Patent officially
numbered 4117 of 1879, and 1433 of 1880, both granted to the present
applicants.
The principal object of our Invention is to deal satisfactorily and profitably
with the large volumes of gases proceeding from blast furnaces, these gases
offering peculiar difficulties in their treatment, from the character of the tarry and
other matters deposited from them; but our improved processes and apparatus are
also advantageously applicable to gases like those of what are known as gas
producers, and now coming largely into use in metallurgical and other manu-
factures.
In carrying out our psesent Invention the gases, as received from the blast
furnaces, or gas producers, or other source, are first led into condensing or
separating apparatus of the kind described in the Specification of Patent,
No. 1433 of 1880, one of those hereinbefore referred to. One improvement
consists in making the separating or condensing apparatus principally of wrought
iron instead of castiron; and in connecting the water boxes in the interior of the
apparatus the pipes are led from the tops of the lower boxes to the highest parts
of the upper boxes instead of the connections with the latter being lower down,
the purpose being to prevent heated water from remaining in the tops of the
upper boxes and not passing along in the general current.
The further Improvements comprised in our present Invention will for the most
part be conveniently described with the aid of explanatory Drawings, of which we
hereunto append two Sheets to be hereinafter referred to, and representing
examples or modifications of our improved apparatus. In these Drawings the
same reference numerals are used to mark the same or like parts wherever they are
repeated.
From the separating or condensing apparatus the gas passes into scrubbers or
washing towers, and instead of these towers being circular in plan, with which
construction the flow of the gas was not equally distributed, each tower is, by our
present Invention, made rectangular in plan, as shown in Figures 1 and 2 on
Sheet 1 of the accompanying Drawings, these figures being vertical and horizontal
sections respectively. The gas enters by a pipe 10 into the bottom compartment
11 of the tower, under the lowest inclined perforated diaphragm 12, and it passes
to the upper side of this diaphragm through a space 13 extending to the full
width of the diaphragm. The other inclined perforated diaphragms 14 are
arranged so as to leave spaces 15 of the full width at alternate opposite sides, so that
the gas in ascending passes alternately from side to side between the diaphragms
in a broad stream, and so as to be uniformly distributed over the diaphragms.
In order to overcome the great difficulty experienced in cleaning the diaphragms
in the scrubbing towers, provision is made for successively disconnecting or
shutting off by valves, each of a series of towers from the gas mains or pipes
(10, 16), and for admitting a large volume of steam into it by a pipe 9, such steam
having a heating effect, whereby the tarry matters are rendered thinner and less

page_text: adhesive, whilst the water, due to the condensation of the steam and which is
made to circulate by the pumps, washes the matters down. This process is so
effectual as to allow of the perforated diaphragms 14 being placed closer together,
so that comparatively smaller towers can be used for dealing with a given quantity
of gas.
We also now make the perforated diaphragms 14 of metal instead of
wood. The tower with its accompanying details is made entirely or for the most
part of iron, the diaphragms 14 are fixed each on three of its sides by angle iron
to the walls of the tower, and are additionally supported by pillars 17. Doors 18
are fitted in the walls near the several openings 15 between the diaphragms for
'the introduction of scrapers or other cleaning instruments and for the workmen
using the instruments stages 19 are provided together with ladders giving access
from stage to stage. The doors 18 also act as safety or explosion valves. The
water is admitted by a horizontal pipe 20 and issues through perforations along
the bottom of that pipe so as to be equally distributed over the uppermost
diaphragm 14. The pipe 20 is shown as having a part 21 directed upwards
which is open and acts as a relief pipe.
.
In a modified arrangement of our apparatus, shown in sectional plan in Figure 3,
and in vertical section in Figure 4, the gases are led through a series of vertical
cylinders or towers 22, 23, connected alternately at the top and bottom; and in
the top of each of the alternate towers 22 in which the gases descend water is
injected.so as to form a shower, this water not only promoting the flow of the
gases in the desired direction but also cooling them and causing the tarry and
other matters to be separated. The showers may be produced by means of perforated
diaphragms 24, or in any other convenient way. The tarry matters and any
soluble constituents are carried by the water to the bottoms of the towers, and
thence drawn off through suitable trapped outlets. Space and extent of apparatus
Inay be economised by introducing showers of water into all the towers 22, 23, a
fan or fans being in that case provided to impart the necessary movement to the
gases. Instead of the towers or casings 22, 23, being vertical they may be inclined
or horizontal, the showers of water being made to descend obliquely or at right
angles to the direction of the flow of the gases. The same water may be passed
repeatedly through the apparatus, the heat imparted to it by the gases being
removed from it by refrigerating apparatus.
In another modification, which is shown in horizontal and vertical section in
Figures 5 and 6 on Sheet 2 of the accompanying Drawings, the gases are led
-alternately-up-and-down-a_number_of_tubes 25, 20, placed vertically in a casing
or casings 27, there being partitions 28, 29, in top and bottom spaces in the casings
to lead the gases from each section of the tubes to the next section. Cold water
is made to circulate through the casing 27 outside of the tubes 25, 26, or cold air
may be passed through the casing 27 by means of fans or blowing apparatus. For
cleaning the insides of the tubes, which operation will be frequently required,
small openings 30 with plugs or covers are provided in the top of the casing
opposite the several tubes, and these are opened one by one, or in sets of two or
more at a time, and a cleaning instrument is introduced to force downwards the
tarry matter deposited in the tubes. With these arrangements the tubes can be
cleaned successively without stopping or appreciably interfering with the general
action of the apparatus. The plugs or covers of the openings 30 are by preference
loose, being kept close by their own weight or by springs, which will allow them
to act as safety or explosion valves in the event of there being internally any
excessive pressure.
Ammonia constitutes an important part of the products obtained from the gases,
and by our present Invention we promote its formation and increase its quantity
by introducing steam into the blast furnace, either at the tuyeres or at a higher
level;
and for the same purpose some steam may be introduced into gas producers
along with air. It is obvious that the presence of steam in the blast furnace or in
the gas producer, for the purpose indicated, may be conveniently attained by
systematically introducing water to be converted into steam in the furnace or

page_text: producer itself; or, on the other hand, the steam may be introduced in a super-
heated state. Whilst not confining ourselves as regards the introduction of steam
or water at any part of the blast furnace, we at present consider that the object in
view will be best secured by the arrangements shown in horizontal and vertical
section on Figures 7 and on Sheet 2 of the accompanying Drawings. A number
of radially disposed wrought-iron pipes 31, which are branch pipes from a main
steam pipe 32 passing round the furnace, are made to project into the furnace at
positions about 7 and 10 feet below the ordinary surface level of the materials in
the furnace. The parts of these pipes 31, which are inside the furnace, are
perforated to distribute the steam. Along with the radial pipes 31, or instead of
them there may be one or more vertical steam pipes 33 with their lower parts
perforated so as to distribute the steam. When introducing the steam in a super-
heated state the superheating may be conveniently effected by passing the steam
through a sufficient length of piping placed, as indicated by dotted lines 34, in
the main or duct 35, by which the gases leave the furnace. The application of
steam in the furnace, for the purpose of promoting the production of ammonia
may be adopted along with any suitable or efficient apparatus for separating the
ammonia either alone or together with other products obtainable from blast-furnace
or producer gases.
Having thus particularly described our said Invention and the manner of
performing the same, we have to state that we do not restrict ourselves to the
precise details herein described or delineated, but that what we believe to be novel
and original, and claim as the Invention secured to us by and in terms of the
herein before in part recited Letters Patent is,-
1. The hereinbefore described improvements in apparatus of the kind described
in the Specification of Patent, No. 1433, of 1880.
2. The arranging or combining together of the parts of scrubbers or washing
towers, substantially in the improved manner herein before described with reference
to Figures 1 and 2 of the accompanying Drawings.
3. The providing of the scrubbers or washing towers with inlet steam pipes, and
with valves for disconnecting or shutting off each of a series of towers, for the
purpose of admitting steam to clean or facilitate the cleaning of the said towers,
substantially as hereinbefore described.
4. The arranging or combining together of the parts of apparatus for cooling
blast-furnace and other combustible gases, and for separating tarry and other
matters therefrom, substantially in the improved manner hereinbefore described
with reference to Figures 3 and of the accompanying Drawings.
5. The arranging or combining together of the parts of apparatus for cooling
blast-furnace and other combustible gases, and for separating tarry and other
matters therefrom, substantially in the improved manner hereinbefore described
with reference to Figures 5 and 6 of the accompanying Drawings.
6. The combination of appliances for introducing steam or water into blast
furnaces or gas producers, with apparatus for separating ammonia from the gases,
either alone or along with other products, substantially as hereinbefore described.
In witness whereof, we, the said John Alexander and Andrew Kirkwood
McCosh, have hereunto set our hands and seals, this Twenty-fourth day
of February, in the year of our Lord One thousand eight hundred and
nichto inva
JOHN ALEXANDER. (L.S.)
AND. K. M°COSH. (LS.)