IMPROVEMENTS IN TREATING PEAT AND OTHER CARBONACEOUS AND LIGNEOUS MATTERS SO AS TO OBTAIN PRODUCTS THEREFROM
Year: 1850

page_text: TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, I, WILLIAM
BENSON STONES, of Golden Square, in the County of Middlesex, Manchester
Warehouseman, send greeting.
WHEREAS Her present most Excellent Majesty Queen Victoria, by Her
Royal Letters Patent under the Great Seal of the United Kingdom of Great
Britain and Ireland, bearing date at Westminster, the Seventh day of March,
One thousand eighthundred and fifty, in the thirteenth year of Her reign, did,
for Herself, Her heirs and successors, give and grant unto me, the said William
Benson Stones, my exors, adññors,and assigns, Her especial licence, full power,
sole privilege and authority, that I, the said William Benson Stones, my
exors, adñors, and assigns, and such others as I, the said William Benson
Stones, my exors, admors, or assigns, should at any time agree with, and no
others, from time to time and at all times during the term of years therein
expressed, should and lawfully might make, use, exercise, and vend, within
England, Wales, and the Town of Berwick-upon-Tweed, the Invention of
"IMPROVEMENTS IN TREATING PEAT AND OTHER CARBONACEOUS AND LIGNEOUS
MATTERS SO AS TO OBTAIN PRODUCTS THEREFROM," communicated to me from
abroad; in which said Letters Patent is contained a proviso that I, the said
William Benson Stones, should cause a particular description of the nature of
the said Invention, and in what manner the same is to be performed, by an
instrument in writing under my hand and seal, to be inrolled in Her said
Majesty's High Court of Chancery with six calendar months next, and
immediately after the date of the said in part recited Letters Patent, as in
and by the same, reference being thereunto had, will more fully and at large
appear.

page_text: NOW KNOW YE, that in compliance with the said proviso, I, the said
William Benson Stones, do hereby declare that the nature of the said Invention,
and the manner in which the same is to be performed, are fully described and
ascertained in and by the following statement thereof, reference being had
to the Drawings hereunto annexed, and to the figures and letters marked
thereon, that is to say :-
The improvements herein described relate to modes of pressing and car-
bonizing peat and obtaining various products therefrom, and of composing and
manufacturing other sorts of fuel from various carbonaceous and ligneous
matters; and also to the apparatus suitable to and necessary for such produc-
tion and manufacture; and further for extracting the products which are to be
obtained from shale, stone, cannel coal and other coals, petroleum, asphaltum,
and other bitumeniferous carbonohyhrous substances, and treating and manu-
facturing the products and substances obtained from them, and the gases
produced in the distillation of those substances; and in an apparatus for
treatment of certain of the products above alluded to, as also oils and fatty
matters, &c., &c.
As a necessary preliminary step to carbonising peat economically on a large
scale, by whatever process it has to be performed, it is essential that it should
be first artificially compressed and well dried to fit it for that operation. I
therefore proceed to describe the machine by which I fully accomplish the
former and partially effect the latter of these objects.
Figure 1, a plan shewing two friction rollers, one of the rollers for drawing
forward the pressure box, the fly wheel, driving wheels, frame with brasses
fitted into it, and the pressure boxes in section; Figure 2 an elevation,
shewing the framework, the two pressure rollers, the compound adjustable
leverand screws, four friction rollers, driving wheels, and the pressure boxes in
section; Figure 3, an end view of the framework,shewing the driving wheels,
two drawing rollers, and pressure boxes; Figure 4, a longitudinal section,
shewing the driving wheels, drawing rollers, two friction rollers, also the rack
upon the pressure boxes; Figure 5, a cross section of the pressure boxes and
roller under it: the letters of reference are the same in all the Figures.
A,B,are a pair of cast iron rollers; B revolves in a fixed bearing C; A has an
adjustable bearing D to regulate it to the height it may be required by the
screw E, the nut of which has its bearing in the lever F; the fulcrum of the
lever F is at the top of the side frame G ; the other end of the lever F is
connected to the long lever H by the connecting rods I, T; these rods are
adjusted by the right and left hand screw K; the weight J slides along the
lever H to give suitable pressure. L, L, L, L, are four friction rollers

page_text: for supporting the pressure box M before and after it has passed through the
drawing rollers A, B. N, N, are two toothed pinions fixed upon the shaft O;
these pinions work into the wheels P, P, upon the shaft of the drawing roller
B; the wheels P, P, work into the two racks Q, Q, made fast to the outer
pressure box M. The pressure box R is divided into compartments, namely,
eight in its length and two in the width, making in all sixteen; to form these
compartments the bottom of the inner box R is fitted with a number of
bevelled edge knives, the lid or top of the box R having a corresponding
number; they are marked in the Drawing a, a. The straight sides of the knives
come in contact when they are pressed together; the knives a,a, do not reach
all across the box, they leave a space in the middle for the coulter or dividing
knives b,b, to pass between the ends of them, dividing the peat longitudinally
after the box has passed through the pressure rollers. The lower box M is not
divided into compartments, but is made strong and plain inside; it is fitted with
racks Q, Q, on the outer side, working into the wheels P, P, for the purpose
of drawing it to and fro. The levers S, $, are for lifting up the lever H, and
removing the
pressure entirely from off the pressure box. The handle T is for
giving motion to the machine, but it can be worked by steam or any other
power.
The action of the machine will be as follows:-Fill the box R, R, with
peat, and then place it inside the pressure box M; with the lever S, S, raise
up the lever H and the drawing forward roller A; put the machine in motion;
then let down the lever H so that the roller A will be brought in contact
with the lid of the pressure box R; the lid will then assume an angle of
from ten to fifteen degrees, varying until the box has passed the centre of
the pressure rollers, when it will begin to assume a horizontal position, and
give an uniform pressure to all the cakes ofpeat in the compartments. When
the boxes have passed through the rollers the box R must be taken out and
another set fitted with peat, and placed in the machine turned to the contrary
way round; when the box passes through the rollers it will be again ready
for discharging the peat. A quantity of unpressed peat may be brought to
one side of the machine and placed, and at the other side compressed peat will
be taken away as it is discharged at each end of the machine alternately. The
peat thus prepared and well dried is then subjected to a process of distillation, or
igneous decomposition, by introducing it into closed cylinders, retorts, or cham-
bers, so constructed as thoroughly to exclude all access to the external air while
the peat is undergoing the charring process; giving the preference, when I
make use of retorts, to those made of boiler plate iron and ofan oval form, and,
where practical, the expence not precluding it, one passing into another, the

page_text: outer one being open at the end contrary to the other, so as to allow the
vapours and gases to pass through and over the outer surface of the inner
retort to find their escape at the end nearest the mouth of the outer one; at
which outlet or vent hole one or more bent eduction pipes A, A, Figures 6, 7,
8, 9, are flanged on the distal end, passing into a strong iron closed box B,
where it dips below the surface of water, a smaller pipe C conveying away all
that comes over from the retorts to the next or second receiver D, shewn in
Figures 6, 8, which is also a close iron box where a partial condensation of
some of the vapours and a deposit of fatty matter takes place, the rest passing
over to the third receiver E, shewn in Figures 6, 8, 9, where a further con-
densation and separation of fatty matter is also effected; a fourth, and as
many more receivers as may be deemed necessary, may be used. These boxes
or condensers are arranged on the principle of Waulfe's apparatus on a large
scale, with this difference only, that here the pipes of communication from one
to the other decrease in size from the first to the last F, shewn in Figures
6, 8, 9, which, in being the smallest of all, and indicating the progress of the
charring operation, I term the gas pipe. By this means the vapors and gases
are retarded in their outward passage, and thereby serve to keep a pressure in
the retorts and exclude the air most effectually therefrom, which has a favor-
able influence on the quality of the char peat, while it promotes the collection
of the condensible products and gases of the peat, by which nothing pertaining
to it is lost; each of these condensers is provided with a cleansing hole G and
a tap H, Figures 6, 8, for removing and drawing off the ammoniacal liquor
and the resino fatty compound matter into the hydraulic main I, Figures 6,
7, 8, 9, which communicates with a large receiver, while the gas that is
evolved is conveyed, when not wanted for other purpose, to the furnaces, to be
used in conjunction with the fuel for heating the retorts, to which it is made
to apply by means of properly arranged pipes and jets adapted thereto, which
provide for its economical distribution on their surfaces as a source of heat;
and when it is my object to increase the quantity as well as the illuminating
property of the gas I put into the retorts with the peatat the time of charging,
or by a supply pipe for that purpose, either some coal tar or fatty matter of
former distillations (the latter is best as containing no sulphur), or I otherwise
naphthalise it in the common way, and at other times use it for illuminating
purpose as hereafter described. On drawing the charge of char peat from the
retorts it is necessary to enclose and smother without loss of time the whole
body of incandescent fuel in an air-tight box or chamber, so as to extinguish
as speedily as possible the fire; but as this, in the ordinary way of doing it, is a
work of time and attended with loss, I employ the agency of carbonic acid

page_text: gas or any other destroyer of combustion to effect the purpose, and which.to
insure its full efficacy on the ignited mass, I cause to be extricated from below,
in order that it may permeate all parts of the burning char peat,and expedi-
tiously put out the fire; the caloric of the heated fuel being at the same time
moderated by running the boxes breast-high, which are mounted on wheels,
into a tank of water ready prepared at hand for their reception, where they are
left to cool, and can be opened in a very comparatively short space of time.
The char peat prepared by this method usually averages about forty per cent.
of the dried peat,although I have obtained much larger results; the quantity
and quality depending very much, I may say entirely, on the state and proper-
ties of the peat, and the management of the fire, the heat of which should
never, on any account, exceed seven hundred degrees of Fahrenheit's ther-
mometer,except when I use acid to assist in the charring. To further increase
the solidity of char peat, and fit it for the purposes and applications of
locomotive and marine engines, I crush and then subject it to powerful
mechanical pressure, and thereby convert it into bricks; and when I desire to
obtain it in a state of the greatest purity for domestic purposes, or nice
metallurgic or other operations, I remove or dissolve away all the earthy and
incombustible matters it may contain by the means usually had recourse to,
for the purification of animal charcoal. Such is the plan that I adopt when I
make use of the retorts, as described by Figures 6 to 9, thereby seeking to
insure the best results as to the quality of the char peat; but when quantity is
the object, and it must be produced on a large scale at a low price, I resort to
the more simple and less costly mode of preparing it by a different and new
arrangement of square or round retorts, either fixed or made to revolve
separately or collectively, as shown in Figures 9,A and B, to which mode I
adapt, as far as practicable, some one or all of my appliances and other
expedients to facilitate the carbonizing, secure the products, and save the time
and wastage that invariablyattend the ordinary wayof conducting the operation.
The further improvement embraces the preparing of a fuel,consisting of a
mixture of coal of any description; but the glane or anthracite coal, as con-
taining the larger per-centage of carbon, is what I prefer,in combination with
other materials herein detailed; but that which is calculated to answer best is
two parts of anthracite culm and one of char peat,prepared by my first process,
or equal parts of raw peat and char peat combined with the above, or any
other proportion of the culm as may be deemed necessary to the end in view.
These I wet, mix, and press; a small per-centage of the nitrate of potash or
soda of commerce having been dissolved in the water or fluid with which I mix
them. The proportious I have found to answer are as follows, but I would

page_text: have it understood I do not confine myself to those proportions:-I take, for
example, two hundred weight of anthracite culm and oue hundred weight of
char peat, and a sufficiency of water or any other combining agent,and one
or more pounds of nitrate of soda in solution, or, instead of one hundred weight
of char peat, cheapness being the object, only half a hundred weight of that
material,and as much raw peat,and the above quantity of nitrate of soda; and,
having mixed them well together by the best known means, I divide the mass
into pieces; aud,lastly, subject them to the pressure of an hydraulic or other
powerful compressing machine,so as to form the n into bricks. The improve-
ment herein set forth relates to the employinent of materials rich in hydrogen
and carbon,and such as contain little or no bituminious matter nor any appre-
ciable quantity of sulphur, or other substances likely to create smoke, or prove
injurious to the iron work of steam boilers or furnaces, substances that when
combined shall burn better together,and produce more heat than when used
alone; by this means an artificial fuel is prepared, possessed of all the essential
qualifications requisite for marine and locomotive engines, having the advan-
tage over other fueis of neither evolving smoke,flame, or noxious gases,giving
a steady, long-enduring heat, and leaving no slag or cinder to clog or injure
the furnaces.
Another part of this Invention of improvements refers to a cheap and
expeditious means of lighting and reviving fires, more particularly for domestic
uses. It consists in saturating peat (the lighter or spongy sort or that removed
from the surface being the best) with nitrate of potash or soda, and then with
the pyrogenous fatty matter of peat, coal, tar, resin, or any other inflammable
matters,alone or in combination with each other,so that when prepared and
used for that purpose it shall readily take fire, and continue with a large
extended blaze till the coals have thoroughly ignited. This is effected by
taking pieces of peat about two and a half inches square and one thick,
weighing about two ounces each, which, having being first passed through a
weak bath of nitrate of soda,are dried and then pierced through the sides, the
holes running at right angles and meeting in the centre, where a conical piece
is cut out from the upper surface to form a reservoir for the lodgment of a
little of the saturating mixture, and for the ends of pieces of yarn, oakum,
or loose hemp,to meet and serve as a fuse in addition to those at the sides.
In this state, or in any more suitable form, they are thrown into a cauldron of
the boiling mixture or matter, where they are left for a few minutes to imbibe
a sufficiency of it to penetrate all parts of the peat, when they are removed
and are fit for immediate use. Round balls and pieces of any shape and size
may be treated in the same way without fuses, to serve the purpose of bring-

page_text: ing up and quickly reviving a low and expiring fire. In carbonizing peat in
close retorts we obtain, besides the gas, ammonia; a peculiaracid anda bitumino-
adipose compound, which I call paranapththadipose, as containing principally
the elements of paranapthaline; an oliose hydrocarbon, which, when separated
by distillation, I call peatole; an heterogenous adipose matter; a light naptha,
&c. This paranaphthadispose Isubject to distillation, and collect the vapours
separately for condensation according to their nature, specific gravity, or pro-
pensity for condensation, by means of several condensing pipes, placed one
above the other, or one beyond the other in a falling oblique position, as
shewn in Figures 10 and 11, so that those parts of the vapours which require
more refrigeration to condense them pass over separately from the others,
which are liable to condensation at a higer temperature. By this means I
separate the vapours, and collect them distinctly, according to their nature and
quality, in which they differ materially. For the most ordinary purposes of
manufacturing the chemical ingredients derived from peat as general commer-
cial products I divide these vapours of the crude compound (paranapth-
adispose) into two sorts only, by using but two condensing pipes, placed one
above the other or one beyond the other, as shown by Figures 10 and 11, by
letters A and B, so that there may be a certain difference of temperatureat the
points at which the vapours have to reach and pass into them. The result
of this simple division of the vapours is that from the first condensing pipes
A, A, which are kept at a greater degree of heat from their closer connection
to the body of the still,) a heavy oleous hydrocarbon is obtained, which, when
again rectified, we call peatole, and which by reheated treatment with acids
and rectification in much the same way as animal oil is treated for the pur-
pose of making eupion, we obtain a product of a similar character, which we
call peupion; and from the second condensing pipe, shown by letters B and
B, Figures 10 and 11, that possess a lower degree of temperature from their
being connected to the still at a greater distance, I collect a lighter and
more spirit-like hydrocarbon, slightly oleous, which I call peatine, and which,
treated and properly rectified, is useful for dissolving gutta percha, caout-
chouc, &c. The residium remaining in the retort or still, after thus extract-
ing by distillation from the paranaphthadipose the lighter fluids, either in
various sorts or in those two forms of peathole and peatine, is treated, while
hot, with sulphuric acid, and, on cooling, is found to have formed two dis-
tinct products: one an adipose compound (which I call adiposole); upon the
surface of the other, which is hard and black, like a coal tar pitch, and con-
tains wax, resin, adipose, &c., a resino-adipose pitch, which I call peapitch.
The residium which remains in the still after rectifying the finer qualities

page_text: of peatole and peatine is a semi-fluid fat, which I call adipolein. We also
obtain and educe, when profitable, a variety of other products and educts
(accordingly as the nature, quality, or composition of the peat may be, and
the temperature at which we collect and condense the vapours in their
flight from the still, and by having recourse to the various means and
chemical combinations and modes of treatment known as leading to such
results, such as pyroligneous, plocenic, and ulmic acids, etherine or ethal,
myricin or cerin liquid, sulphuretted hydrogen, bisulphuret of hydrogen,
hydrosulphuret of ammonia, sulphate of ammonia, hydrosulphate of ammonia
(sal ammoniac), tannin, tannic acid, gallic, pyrogallic and metagallic acids,
sebacic and oleic acids, cerine, and other residiums in the form of, or con-
vertible into, paraffine, or rather a paranaphthaline, &c. By incineiation, and
elutriation of certain descriptions of peat and peat charcoal, as well as the
resinousproductsobtained therefrom, Ifurther obtain a light brown pulverulent
matter, which I have found applicable to several useful domestic purposes, mora
especially for wood graining and as a plate powder. Besides the other uses for
which I prepare charpeat, as already stated, I employ it to give carbon to the
vapour of sulphur in the same way as charcoal (charred wood) is used, with this
difference, that I have generally found it necessary to encrease the proportion-
ate surface of the burning charpeat through or over which the vapour of sulphur
is passed in a close vessel, thereby obtaining spirit of sulphur (bisulphuret of
carbon), and which, to the best of my knowledge, has never yet been made
by using charred peat instead of wood charcoal; and the charred peat, after
having served to a limited extent to give carbon to the vapour of sulphur as
aforesaid, being useful for the manufacture of gunpowder, 1 stop the process at
the proper time, which experience only in this branch of manufacture can teach,
and set aside the sulphuretted residue (doubly charred peat) for that purpose.
I will now describe my modes of using peat gas as a source of light and
heat for certain purposes. Peat gas in general possesses very little illuminating
property from its being but slightly carburetted, but if mixed with atmospheric
air, in the proportion generally of about twenty to thirty per cent., it then
acquires such calorific powers as to be able to keep platinum at a white
heat, and can even be made to fuse it. Now, it is well known that platinum
at a white heat, like some other metals or substances, gives off a good
light. Thus, for the purposes of giving light by means of the mixture of
burning air and peat gas, I use a peculiarly constructed burner, shown
by Figures 12, 13, of full size, and whereby I obtain a forced mixture
of air with the gas just in the proportion desirable for the purpose of
keeping the platinum constantly and uniformly at a white heat, close upon

page_text: its fusing point, yet not damaging it. This mixture of air with the peat
gas can be effected in gasometers, but, finding that costly and dangerous,
it was desirable to devise another means, and which, being effected, I now
describe, as also the other contrivance for attaining a great power of
heat from peat gas for soldering, fusing glass, and numerous other purposes.
Figure 12 shows a sketch of a peat gas burner; Figure 13 another; these can
be varied in shape and size; and Figures 14, 15, show self-acting blow pipes,
which can likewise be varied in shape and size. A, Figures 12, 13, the lower
part of the burner, made to screw upon the gas pipe in lieu of an ordinary
burner. B is a nipple, the orifice of which is very small, of one forty-fifth to
a fiftieth of an inch in diameter, for an ordinary burner, consuming, under the
usual gasometer pressure, from four to seven feet of gas per hour, and which
can be made of an exact size once for all, or a little larger than is usually
necessary, and the flow of gas through it curbed and regulated by means of a
plug made to move, so as to straighten the orifice, more or less, as shewn
by H, Figure 15 and Figure 16, or otherwise. C shows the usual size of a
burner altogether. D, the chimney fixed in the centre of the burners, and
through which the gas is driven, with the atmospheric air which it takes up
and forcibly mixes with, in its rapid and compressed course. This chimney D
is screwed to the ring G, which is fixed to the interior of C, and can be thus
easily adjusted to the proper height at which it should rest above the nipple B,
generally above one third of an inch. E denotes the part at the bottom of the
burner at which the holes are pierced to admit of the passage of air which the
gas takes
up and mixes with before its emission into the open air at the top of
the burner for consumption. F is a plate pierced through with holes in the
same manner as the lower part of the burner, and placed upon the circular
ridge at the top of the connecting part A,and therefor between it and the lower
circular part of the burner through which the holes are pierced, this perforated
circular plate having its inner part cut out, of course: see Figure 17. Bý
means of this plate the flow of atmospheric air for mixture with the gas can
be regulated to agree with the pressure from the gasometer, the size of nipple
jet, &c., by making it cover the said holes, more or less, as can be easily under-
stood. The holes at the top of this burner, through which the mixture of air
and gas passes for combustion, must be larger a great deal than those of an
ordinary gas burner, and, in preference, pierced rather obliquely and larger in
diameter, as they may be more or less obliquely pierced, as the resistance
increases with the curve, and the force of the flow of air and gas is limited;
for instance, when slightly oblique, as shewn here, they may be of a sixth or
twelfth of an inch, and the platinum wire or perforated platewick, inade of

page_text: about one and a half inch high, should be made to rest upon the holes of the
burner, and shaped according to the form which the flame is made to take, so
that the flame may pass up it and act upon it as effectually and uniformly as
possible, in order to keep the whole surface of it equally and constantly heated
to that degree that it will give off a fine light, observing that, if an excess of
air be allowed to pass up with the peat gas, it will at times be liable to fuse
the platinum. This can be rendered impossible, by making the air holes of a
size suitable to general use, once for all, according to the size of the burner
and the pressure imposed on the gas, otherwise attention must be paid to the
fixing of the regulating plate F. Figures 14 and 15 show blow pipes (self-
acting) made upon the principle of the foregoing gas burner. This can be
used for soldering, in many instances, by the direct application of the flame of
air or gas, or by fixing it over a hand-soldering iron, connected by means of
an elastic tube. By means of this contrivance, any mixture of air with gas
under pressure can be obtained, so that not only peat gas can be made to serve
for numerous purposes where very intense heat is required, but also ordinary
coal gas, and others, and I consequently purpose the application of this
means of obtaining great heat from gases to numerous purposes.
Where there may be objections to the use or application of the foregoing
mode of using peat gas for illuminating purposes I employ another method of
obtaining that object, and which is, to carburet the peat gas by means of
charred peat in the same way as I carburet the vapours of sulphur to educe a
bisulphuret of carbon. I first obtain the gas from peat, and purify it; I then
force it to pass through a succession of connected retorts, which are three parts
filled with charred peat, and are kept at a red heat, so that the gas travelling
through these retorts is found to take up carbon from the burning charred peat
in such proportion as it may from its more or less carburetted quality require.
The retorts for thus carburetting peat gas can be made in so many shapes and
ways, and kept at the necessary degree of heat by such a number of different
contrivances that various local causes may suggest and furnish, that it is only
necessary to observe, that the main point is to obtain the result in as econo-
mical a way as possible, observing that the more the gas requires carbon the
more must it travel through or over the charpeat, from which it has to take its
carbon, or through or over the charred wood, or coal, coke, or anthracite,
under the same conditions. This gas, when obtained from peat or turf, free
from sulphur, and well washed and purified, is to be got very pure. Under
some circumstances it is advantageous to pass the gas through the retorts in
which it has been originally generated, by connecting pipes from one retort to
another, when the peat in those retorts has been thoroughly charred and freed

page_text: ture,
from its volatile carbonohydrous connections, and is, after the gas has been
driven from it by distillation, still in an incandescent state, and can, ata trifling
expense, be kept up in that state for the purpose of thus carburetting the gas,
which has been purified aud prepared for the
purpose. The gas thus charged
with carbon, free from sulphur, will require but little washing to fit it for use.
I will now describe that part of the Invention which has reference to the
extracting of the bitumniferous carbonohydrous substances or products, &c.
from shale, or schistus, or swine stone, or asphaltum, or mineral pitch, or
cannel coal, or other bitummiferous coal or substances, without its being neces-
sary or useful to char, burn, or calcine the main constituent or body. Thus,
for instance, with such of these substances that are of a lithic or brittle tex-
I break them up, as much as can be done consistently at an expence of
labour which would not prevent the manufacturing from being a remunerating
business. This pulverized substance is then placed in a conveniently made
vessel, and superheated steam is made to pass through it at a temperaturesuf-
ficient to dissolve and carry off the products in a state of vapour, to be condensed
in convenient vessels. The broken or pulverized bitummiferous substance is
placed in the steaming chamber (which can be made of iron or other appro-
priate material), either by itself or with chemical agents, which in some cases,
and to obtain the products in certain states, and chemically acted upon in
peculiar ways, I previously mix with the said pulverized substances, or place
at the bottom of the steaming chamber, or in layers with or at the top of those
substances, or if liquid, such as sulphuric acid, for instance, either to act as an
assistant for charring peat, or in small proportions for other purposes, I pour
into the still just before closing it for distillation or charring. For rectifying
the products of the above-named and other carbonohydrous products obtained
from bituminiferous and resinous substances, I also generally use highly
heated steam of water, and at times I use chemical agents to produce a com-
posed steam to act with certain results in the distillation and rectification of the
carbonohydrous products. It will generally be the case that, where steam is
used for the purpose of distilling any of the substances here alluded to, it will
also be required for motive power, &c. The way to provide for a supply of
steam, and, in addition to that, a means of heating it to a high degree, will
easily suggest itself to any practical person. I therefore merely furnish one
illustration (Figure 18) of a plan upon which steam can be produced for such
a twofold purpose, and heated to the requisite extent for distilling or rectifying,
by an apparatus like connected, Figure 19, in which the vapour is made to
pass from the boiler, Figure 18, through pipe A, to be heated in the succession
of tubes B, and carried through steam chamber A, Figure 2().
And again I

page_text: show a plan of a superheating steam apparatus in the form of a spiral tubular
boiler or steam generator B (Figure 20), (which will be found very useful in
some instances, and placed under a still or vapour retort A, Figure 20, in which I
place broken sliale stone, coal peat, &c., to extract the carbonohydrous products
from them by means of superheated steamin lieu of carbonising or distilling by
fire; thus, Figure 18 is a boiler for generating steam, and shown in two sections,
and connected withapparatus, Figure19, which is intended for heatingthesteam
to the degree of temperature for distilling, as aforesaid. Figure 18 is a longitu-
dinal section of the boiler. Figure 18 is a transverse section through Figure 18
at a, b, the pipe A, through which the steam is conveyed to the bent tubes B,
Figure 19, through the longitudinal tube D of said Figure 19, and afterwards
passes through the longitudinal tube Eshown in Figure 19", and then through
the connecting tube C into the still A at D, Figure 20. Figure 19 in this
instance would replace B, Figure 20, for heating the steam, and A, Figure 20,
shows the still or vapour retort, already alluded to, placed over a spiral
tubular steam heater B, Figure 20, or which can be adjusted to receive
the superheated steam from such a contrivance as Figure 19. The vapour
still or retort is divided into two parts, the top part or lid, to which the neck
of the condensing pipe G is fixed, is made to be lifted off, and replaced with
ease upon the lower part, which is let down into the brickwork, and which
rests partly upou the conical space made to receive it, and partly upon brick-
work at the bottom, where certain spaces are also left to allow of flame and smoke
to pass under and up round it, and then escape through chimney F. This
vapour still can be made of iron or copper, &c. For the purpose of placing in
and taking out the material to be thus distilled I use an iron pail, as shown
by Figure 20, A', and detached Figure 21, and which is made to fix exactly
in the lower part of A, Figure 20, so that the steam which is introduced under
it at D of retorts, shall not have the means of passing up round it, but shall
be absolutely forced to pass through its bottom, which is perforated, and thus
go through the matter contained in it. This pail is made with strong semi-
circular bars at the top, and a strong (a) rod, which is fixed to the centre
union point of those semicircular bars, and passes under the bottom of it;
these strong enough, in fact, to lift it in and out constantly with half a ton or a
ton of any of the substances it is intended to distil. d, Figure 20, is a pipe
through which steam is sent from a boiler into the spiral steam-heater B;
E, fire-box; F, flue or chimney; G, main condensing pipe, which is connected
at the neck to allow the upper part of still A to be lifted off and on; H, I, J
division condensing pipes; K, L, M, recipients for condensed vapours of water
and distilled matters; k, l, m, taps to allow the distilled matters to flow into

page_text: the receiving pails N, O, P; q, q, q, taps to allow escape of condensed vapour
in form of water.
I will now observe, that one great difficulty met with in the treatment for
rectification, separation, purifying, and bleaching, &c. of the various carbono-
hydrous matters before alluded to, as also oleous fluids, whether animal or
vegetable, and fats, tallow, wax, palm oil, &c., is in getting the acids and other
chemical agents to act upon them efficiently, by complete mixture or constant
contact with all parts during the time necessary to produce the desired chemical
action upon the various substances. This difficulty I have, however, overcome
by means of a peculiarly constructed churn, Figure 22, in which the various
substances, whether naturally liquid at ordinary temperatures, or whether
they require heat or chemical action to liquify them, can be most perfectly
amalgamated and digested with, or washed or otherwise acted upon by,
other substances or ingredients, however different in nature and point of
specific gravity.
This churn, Figure 22, consists of a cask or vessel, which, according to the
ingredients it is intended to use it for, can be either made of wood, or wood
lined with lead or copper, &c., or iron in its natural state, or coated with a
vitrious or earthern glaze, or otherwise protected from the effect of acid, &c.,
or of glass, or of any other material appropriate to the peculiar nature of the
substances and ingredients which the churn may be intended for, and in the
interior of it a number of shelves, see B, Figure 22, of a depth of about one
sixth the diameter of the vessel, more or less, and running from one end of
the vessel to the other, or nearly so, are fixed. At each end of the exterior of
the vessel are fixed four or six hooks or bolts, or any other contrivance to
allow of the easy adjustment to, and taking away the churn from, a skeleton
revolving beam, shewn by A, A, sketch, Figure 22. The revolving beam is
made with cases A2 to receive the churn, which can be carried to it and
adjusted or taken from it with the greatest facility upon a truck made for the
purpose, and so constructed as to raise the churn or lower it at will for its
easy and ready fixing into its case upon the beam, and, after churning has
taken place detached and carried away with the same ease, leaving one half
of the case as a door for the vessel to be placed in and fixed, the other part
made strongly to have sufficient strength to support the weight of the vessels
with their contents, assisted by supporters C, C, or, instead of the beam being
made to revolve, the churn cases could be turned upon the beam by straps or
otherwise. In cases where heat is useful or necessary for the desired treat-
ment of the substance in the churn a fire is carried upon an appropriate
truck, and placed under the churn, or in some cases the whole churning room

page_text: is kept at the requisite temperature by steam or otherwise. The other
conditions for the management of this plan of churning, &c. either by steam
or other power, according to the various means offered by the locality, will
be clear and easy to any practical person, and to enter into a detail of which
would perhaps only cause confusion in this description.
What I claim under the above recited Specification is as follows:-
First, the improvements herein described for compressing peat and other
matters.
Second, the arrangement of retorts, and of the employment of closed tanks
or condensers on the principle described and delineated in connection with
retorts, or any other apparatus or means employed for carbonising peat.
Third, the application of pent gas, in the form of jets, as a source of heat to
the retorts and other apparatus used in the manufacture of char peat, and to the
treatment of the products obtained from peat, and other carbonaceous matters.
Fourth, the employment of carbonic acid gas, and other destroyers of com-
bustion, for the speedy extinguishment of the ignited fuel after carbonisation.
Fifth, the making of char peat into a sufficiently dense and compact state
to fit it for economical stowage and easy transportation.
Sixth, the purification of char peat, by depriving it of earthy, metallic, and
incombustible matters, by the means I have described.
Seventh, the mode of preparing an artificial fuel, but more particularly an
anthracitic fuel, in combination with char peat, &c., and with or without
one or more known promoters or supporters of combustion.
Eighth, the employment of peat in conjunction with nitrate of soda, or
potash with inflammable matters, and a known promoter or supported of
combustion in the fabrication of fire-lighters and revivers.
Ninth, the separation and purification of the earthy, metallic, and incom-
bustible matters which I obtain from peat for the purposes I have described.
Tenth, manufacturing eupion (which I call reupion) from peat.
Eleventh, separating and collecting at the same time the different qualities
and natures of the products of the distillation of heterogenous matters by
means of a certain number of condensing pipes, so placed as to remain at
various degrees of temperature.
Twelfth, the manufacture of spirit of sulphur with the use of char peat.
Thirteenth, preparation of char peat impregnated with sulphur for making
gunpowder and other purposes.
Fourteenth, the use of peat gas forcibly mixed with atmospheric air, and
made to keep platinum or other metals or substances at a degree of heat
requisite for the purposes of obtaining light and heat. *

page_text: Fifteenth, the modes herein described for obtaining a mixture of air with
gases, made by the processes herein described, before their mission for
combustion.
Sixteenth, the carburetting of peat gas by charred peat, wood, or coal coke,
or anthracite.
Seventeenth, extracting the carbonohydrous matters from bituminiferous
substances by means of superheated steam.
Eighteenth, mixing chemical agents with the various bituminiferous sub-
stances, for the products of these to be acted upon in course of distillation
by such chemical ingredients.
Nineteenth, distilling and rectifying carbonohydrous, resinous, and oleus
and fatty matters by chemically prepared steam.
Twentieth, spiral shaped tubular boilers or retorts for heating or generating
steam of the spiral form described for the purposes herein specified.
Twenty-first, the system of churn herein described for digesting, bleaching,
and chemically treating liquid carbonaceous substances.
In witness whereof, I, the said William Benson Stones, have hereunto
set my hand and seal, this Sixth day of September, in the year of
our Lord One thousand sight hundred and f
W B. (L.S.) STONES.
AND BE IT REMEMBERED, that on the Sixth day of September, in the
year of our Lord 1850, the aforesaid William Benson Stones came before
our said Lady the Queen in Her Chancery, and acknowledged the Specification
aforesaid, and all and every thing therein contained and specified, in form
above written. And also the Specification aforesaid was stamped according
to the tenor of the Statute made for that purpose.
Enrolled the Sixth day of September, in the year of our Lord One
thousand eight hundred and fifty.